KWARC responds to Y2K Communications Back Up Request

Members of the Kitchener Waterloo Amateur Radio Club responded to a request to establish auxiliary communications capabilities during the crucial Y2K change over.  Club member Robert Gissing VE3ZLV  became a liaison between our members and the Region of Waterloo to formulate and organize amateur radio alternative communications for the Regions vital radio communication services in the event of system failures.  Robert along with area ARES chairman John Schreiter VE3DOS, were asked to  establish 2 meter and HF capability in the Waterloo Regional Police Headquarters  on Maple Grove Road for a period prior to, and during  the Y2K turnover.

Robert approached the club and quickly obtained a list of volunteers that could operate the club’s radios, as well as provide equipment, and take shift turns at the Police Headquarters during Y2K.  Volunteers included Norm Perrault VE3DEQ, Gord Hayward VE3EOS, Ed Spike, VE3TCK, Bill Aver VE3WDL and wife Mary Jane VE3JHB, Larry Goreman VE3LNG, Boris Berezov VE3RCZ, Roger Sanderson VE3RKS, and Dave Schwartz VA3DGS.  Dave also gratefully provided the HF radio equipment.  Robert scheduled local nets on our club repeater VE3KSR prior to this task, confirmed responsibilities and gathered vital input to the plan.

The Region depended on our Club operators to participate in Ambulance Dispatching if required, be an active information gathering source for the Waterloo Regional Police, participate in HF networking with EMO and other HF active stations, and activate 

Mary-Jane Aver VE3JHB and KWARC A.R.E.S. Emergency Coordinator Robert Gissing VE3ZLV

volunteers for Y2K duty in predetermined locations with 2 meter capabilities, both mobile as well as 2 metre handy units.

An amateur command post was put together in the cafeteria of Police Headquarters the day before, and included several 2 metre radios obtained from members and CANWARN, some scanners for local frequencies, HF radio for Short Wave Y2K information from around the world, and color TV for local news viewing.   Robert VE3ZLV made available information and instruction folders for all operators which included responsibilities, and action plans for any crises that may arise.   

Our antenna system consisted of a mobile crank up 70 ft tower provided by Ben VA3BNY.  It was positioned at the rear of the police building and extended some  40 ft over the existing police building facilities, clearly visible from the road way leading into the complex. The antenna and station set up crew consisted of Bill VE3WDL, Dave VA3DGS, John VE3DOS, Robert VE3ZLV and Ben VA3BNY.  Our only glitch was when a connector came loose while the tower was being raised.   Bill VE3WDL  experienced lots of exercise lowering  the unit for repairs, and then cranking it back up again for the second time. Out riggers built into the tower legs provided great stability to wind or inclement weather.  On the tower we attached antennas for 2 meter using a 210C2 antenna, (top left) combined with a 310C4 (top right) for the 440 band if needed, plus an all band dipole attached to the top of the tower and fastened to some local bushes and building structures as a sloper by Dave VA3DGS.  Separate RG8X mini foam feed line was run from each antenna . The tower was put in place a day before Y2K. John VE3DOS tested the 2 meter equipment while Ben VA3BNY made several contacts into "G, I, and LA" land (England, Italy, Norway) with 5/9 reports.   Our 2 meter range was full quieting on simplex into the northern part of Waterloo, also 5 and 9 signals into  repeaters in London to the west, Toronto to the east, Ohio USA repeaters to the south,  as well as several repeaters to our north,  all with standard power from the radios. Everything seemed in readiness for the Y2K bug to hit.

Our services, equipment, and volunteers surpassed all of the Region’s expectations. Several of the Region’s Police Command People, including the deputy chief, toured the ham installation and remarked on how quick we were able to provide on such short notice. The club truly reflected our capabilities in providing professional assistance in communication needs to a potentially disastrous situation.

The Y2K bug failed to cause any devastating disaster through out the world, but in Waterloo Region through the efforts of amateur radio club operators, we were well equipped to handle and assist in vital communications. We were able to decommission the amateur command post by 3.00 a.m New Years day. There were many club members, too many to mention in this article, that must be recognized for there support, work, and assistance responding to this task, Each and everyone should feel proud that the club did such a marvelous job. We have once again demonstrated our capabilities and resources in times of need. My congratulations to all for a job very well done.

 de Ben VA3BNY
Program Director KWARC