Preparation Begins for DYFI “ShakeOut” Event October 17

Courtesy of Oliver Dully, K6OLI, District Emergency Coordinator for ARES LAX NE from his presentation made to Ventura County ACS/ARES in July.

“Did You Feel It? (DFYI)” is a collaboration between the USGS and amateur radio operators intended to use the skills and capabilities of hams to get messages regarding the intensity of earthquakes out to first responders. The DYFI event will be held on Saturday October 17^th as part of the “Great California ShakeOut 2020” CVARC members wishing to participate in the event are invited to three preparation meetings to be held on Zoom:

7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday September 9^th

7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday September 23^rd

7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday October 14^th

Complete instructions on how to join the Zoom meetings are below.

Amateur radio is ideally suited to communicate the intensity of an earthquake (what it felt like and how much damage you have experienced) to first responders when other communications modes are unavailable or have failed.

DYFI utilizes the Winlink network of Radio Mail Servers “RMSes” to get email messages from amateurs to the USGS. The DYFI initiative has developed a custom form to capture pertinent information and ensure consistent formatting for data retrieval.

The DYFI event will be held on Saturday October 17^th as part of the “Great California ShakeOut 2020” which, due to COVID-19, is being held over several days as circumstances permit. The CVARC event starts at 10:30 a.m. (when a simulated quake will hit us) on the 17th. In addition to exercising DYFI over Winlink, amateurs are encouraged to see “Who can you copy?” over simplex channels (simulating the failure of local repeaters) using phone and Fldigi. In a real earthquake it maybe some time before the communications infrastructure is repaired so knowing who you can call for help or provide help to, over simplex VHF is useful information.

Many operators are new to Winlink and DYFI is new to everyone. To get people up to speed a series of Zoom meetings have been organized for local elmers to give helpful hints to get you on the air.

Meeting Details (Same for each of the three Zoom meetings)

Join Zoom Meeting (7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, 23 and October 14.)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84933826209?pwd=WFB3V1NkNWs0S2xaUE12Q3ZxVzV0Zz09

Meeting ID: 849 3382 6209

Passcode: 015837

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+16699006833,,84933826209#,,,,,,0#,,015837# US (San Jose)

+13462487799,,84933826209#,,,,,,0#,,015837# US (Houston)

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+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

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