Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club  

A net was called by Jack, WØMBD, on the 147.015 repeater at Collegeville.  The medical disaster drill was a simulated aircraft accident at the St. Cloud airport. Radio traffic to area hospitals dealt with bed availability. Each hospital reporting in gave their bed count, and type, as a part of the practice message delivery.

The drill also allowed hospitals and operators to assess their ability to transmit and receive clearly into and out of the repeater station.  St. Joseph's Medical Center station used their own purchased equipment which is a Kenwood D-700 and a Diamond omni-directional antenna at about 75-feet above ground. Signals were full quieting to and from the repeater at all times for Brainerd, Princeton, Melrose, and the Red Cross station in St. Cloud. Weak signals were heard from Staples, Crosby, and Onamia, however.

Kathy Zard, RN, coordinator of our activity at St. Joseph Hospital, was very happy with the outcome for the first check of the system under simulated "medical disaster" conditions. S he agreed that the monthly tests, scheduled for 1 P.M. on the first Wednesday, will be most helpful in assuring a continued proof-of-performance.  She also told the BAARC today that three people from their bio-medical department have shown an interest in becoming licensed amateurs.

Local communications in St. Cloud at the mock disaster scene was held on the 146.94 MHz repeater. Regional communications were handled on the 147.015 MHz repeater. This seems to be the way radio-protocols are developing. However, if a local hospital, for whatever reason can not reach any of the super-link entry/exit points (Collegeville, Alexandria, Barnsville, etc.) in our area, they are likely to be asked to pass (relay) their radio traffic through one of the other 'larger sites' such as Brainerd.

Yet to come (early next year) will be a test and use of a data-based packet system for which the hospital purchased Kenwood D-700's are ready to go once a laptop computer is added. How's that for fun and excitement guys?