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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=PT link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Keeping your station on air in severe weather conditions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>With Australia's summer well and truly here, radio amateurs there are increasingly giving thought as to how to keep their station on air in severe weather conditions that could result in power shortages, storms or fires.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>This will enable them to continue to enjoy amateur radio should the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>power fail, but also it may assist them in learning more about summer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>bushfires in their area.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Last summer "self-help" groups of radio amateurs regularly got on their<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>local repeater to keep in touch and share information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>To do this of course it is essential to have an independent power source.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>A diesel or petrol generator can be used to not only keep your radio on air but also give energy for lighting or other household uses.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Many seem to have a back-up 12v battery to keep their rigs on air. These are relatively affordable if bought new or even cheap second-hand. Emergency service authorities also recommend having spare batteries on hand for torches and a battery or wind-up powered broadcast receiver to keep up with the news.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Solar power may also be available.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>So this summer have a think about how to stay on air.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Amateur Radio Victoria encourages the use of the major 2m repeaters to keep in touch, particularly on days of total fire ban or Code Red.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Should WICEN (Vic) or anyone else need any repeater to pass emergency<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>messages please give them priority, or follow the guidance of any emergency net control station on a repeater.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>On the HF bands there are a number of designated Emergency Centre of Activity (CoA) frequencies. Within the Asia/Pacific Region these are<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>3.6MHz 7.110Mz<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Globally the CoA include 14.3MHz, 18.160MHz and 21.360MHz.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>During emergency training exercises and disasters please keep them clear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Amateur Radio Victoria website <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>amateurradio.com.au<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>