Emergency Communications:

 

Info-Net is an emergency communications system specifically designed to assist all amateur radio operators in the Thousand Oaks and surrounding communities during disasters and other emergencies.

 

Info-Net operates on the following frequencies

 

• 146.850 MHz, minus offset, 94.8 pl
• 224.700 MHz, minus offset, 156.7 pl
• 447.020 MHz, minus offset, 127.3 pl

 

The purpose of Info-Net is to provide you, the amateur radio operator, with information on the scope and magnitude of an evolving crisis. The net will also provide information on evacuation routes and other information critical to the welfare of your family, friends, and neighbors. When you check into the net you become an active net participant providing the net with information on conditons at your location and other information that you are aware of.

 

The multiple frequency bands on which Info-Net operates provides the resources necessary for you to work with other area amateur radio operators in mitigating the impact of a crisis on our community. For example, utilizing our communication channels to coordinate the evacuation of horses and other large animals to safe locations.

 

Utilizing Winlink to send health and welfare information to distant friends and relatives is an important service provided by Info-Net. Local area HF radio operators are encouraged to assist in providing this very valuable service.

 

In addition, Info-Net provides information on conditions in and around Thousand Oaks to the following organizations:

 

• California Lutheran University,
• Los Robles Hospital,
• City of Thousand Oaks,
• Thousand Oaks Police Department, and
• The Oak Park School District

 

at their request as a crisis evolves.

 

 

Public Service:

 

Info-Net, in cooperation with ARES Area 2, supports a number of community public service events each year including the CROP Walk, Arbor/Earth Day, MS Walk, Bike Races, plus others. Our communication services help to ensure the safety and success of these special events and are thus very important to the event organizers and participants. In addition these activities provide us an opportunity to practice our emergency communication skills and experiment with new techniques and processes. The public service events are not only important in preparing for large scale emergencies, they are also interesting and fun to participate in.

 

 

 

Weekly Operations:

 

In cooperation with ARES Area 2, we conduct weekly emergency communication nets every Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 7:30 PM on the following frequencies:

 

• 146.850 MHz minus offset and 94.8 pl
• 224.700 MHz minus offset and 156.7 pl
• 449.400 MHz minus offset and 131.8 pl

 

In addition to our weekly nets, we run an extensive Simulated Emergency Test (SET) the first Tuesday of every month. During these monthly tests we develop, practice, and perfect the operating skills and procedures that will be required in responding to the types of disasters that are most likely to occur in Thousand Oaks and the surrounding communities.

 

All amateur radio operators are welcomed to check-in on these nets. If you would like to join us at our net control facility, please contact: Jerry Goldman at kc6jso@gmail.com for details.

 

 

 

 

Research and Development:

 

We have active research and development programs in the fields of:

 

• HF communications
• Solar and Ionospheric studies
• NVIS communications
• Winlink
• VHF/UHF propagation
• Field communications
• Operations
• Packet ( Outpost ) communications
• Information handling and analysis.

 

 

 

Training:

 

 

The numerous emergency preparedness exercises and community service events that we support each year provides ample opportunity for on the job training while participating in interesting and enjoyable activities. Areas of training include basic operating procedures, net control procedures, message handling, radio operation, Winlink operations, plus much more.