IAP

Mike Proctor

AQU

Bruce

EOP

Dave Sloan

TER

Mike Stansberry

PAZ

Jim

PIM

Richard Jeffries

QPS

Kirby Wright

NKG

Ted Allison

FLM

Aaron Pelouze

YCI

Jeff Smith

PRM

Al Glock

MLA

Mike Allison

Call

Q

Response

AQU

1

About 6 years. I spent two and a half years as Assistant EC and Resource Officer to Dist 16.

EOP

1

14 years

FLM

1

About 4 years as a non member, and 6 as a member.  All in Colorado Springs.

IAP

1

15 years

MLA

1

I was first registered with ARES back in 1994.  I did a few events that summer but started back to college at the end of that year.  I decided to leave ham radio alone and concentrate on my family and school for the next few years.  After I graduated from college, I spent most of my time with my kids while they were young and have just recently, in 2004, gotten back in to ham radio.

NKG

1

About 14 years.. about as long as I have been licensed.

PAZ

1

I have been involved in ARES since I became an amateur radio operator in February 2003.  I joined PPARES shortly thereafter. I immediately became involved in SKYWARN and participated in a few public service events

PIM

1

I first became an ARES member in Tampa, Florida sometime in 1994. Upon relocating to Colorado Springs, with a little time to unpack, repair some items in our new home and erect an antenna, I joined ARES here.

PRM

1

2 Years.

QPS

1

Since I got my license. Aug 2003

TER

1

Probably since 1985 when, I think, I took the position of Emergency Coordinator here in District 14 (since no one else wanted to do so at that time).

YCI

1

Been involved with PPARES since 1998, though did have 2 years in California where I was on something of a leave of absence, but still kept up with everything going on out here.  While in kali, I was an "active" member of a local RACES group, such that it was.  Total time of uninterrupted EmComm service: about 7 years, give or take.

AQU

2

At first to help fit in in the radio community. After joining The Pueblo Ham Club, I felt that particpating in ARES was the next step to fitting in this new world. After a while this evolved into my wanting to help make a difference in the radio community of SE Colorado.

EOP

2

So that I could use my hobby and past experiences from the military to assist my community and neighbors.

FLM

2

When the Y2K scare was happening I felt I should make it official because I would be deployed to a fire or police station, and may need to be officially part of the organization.

IAP

2

Wanted to provide a comm resource to the community in the event of an emergency.

MLA

2

To chase storms with Skywarn!  I grew up on OK, so I have always been interested in storms.  I also enjoy working at community service events.

NKG

2

To be involved and ready to help in emergencies.

PAZ

2

Why did I join?  I had been a scanner hobbyist for sometime prior the joining PPARES.  I always enjoyed monitoring public service events and listening to other operators drawing on their strengths and weaknesses. This motivated me and I felt that I could provide my services as a volunteer and gain valuable knowledge and experience

PIM

2

Amateur Radio is a unique hobby. I am, and always have been, proud to be called a HAM. One wonderful aspect of the hobby is when it can be used to provide assistance to others. I joined ARES because it gives me a warm fuzzy knowing that my hobby can be used to help others.

PRM

2

Was initially attracted by Skywarn and wanted to develop the ability to be a spotter.  I also wanted to be able to participate in “unusual” events like the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and Ascent/Marathon.

QPS

2

Seemed like the thing to do 

TER

2

The answer to question 1 covers it, I think, although I'd been involved in "routine" public service communications for some time before that.

YCI

2

I joined primarily because, at the time, Wes (K0HBZ) had gotten active in ham radio again and started to become active in ARES.  Made sense for me to follow suit, and it sounded like an interesting thing at the time.

AQU

3

To help make the communities that we serve that can be and are a valuable asset. We have a perceived image to many in the community that we are a bunch of backward hillbilly types (my apologies to any of the aforementioned if I offended) because of our hobby. Many see us driving down the road talking on our radios, and all they can think of is the Dukes of Hazzard. This is not who we are. We are a valuable, experienced, and dependable public service.

EOP

3

To offer my expertise in ECCOM to both help the community and other ARES members.

FLM

3

I get a great deal of satisfaction helping other groups get the job done.  Every time I do a PSE the thanks I receive from the agency is very genuine.  As well as giving back to my community.

IAP

3

Wanted to provide a comm resource to the community in the event of an emergency.

MLA

3

I’m hoping to get back into Skywarn next year, and becoming more involved with ARES in general.

NKG

3

Still the same.

PAZ

3

I believe that being active helps me maintain proficiency in critical operating practices, allows me to broaden my skills, and further my knowledge of ARES.  I did not join D-14 to chase paper or be an empty name on a roster. I joined to be a “player”, a member of the team.

PIM

3

My personal motivation, for the most part, was stated in item 3 above.  I have something to offer to our community and I enjoy being a part of a group of people with the same interest.

PRM

3

I’ve spent some time trying to get my kids involved in ham radio for enough reasons that I could write a paper on it.  ARES seemed like a way to provide the kids with examples of seasoned hams who had their fingers on the pulse of the community. 

QPS

3

Communication in times of need

TER

3

Oh, gee.  This one is kinda tough.  I certainly enjoy the working together with all the other folks who have similar interests.  I definitely enjoy the technical challenge of the digital modes.  I enjoy trying to solve communication problems of any type.

YCI

3

I think I'd have to say my primary motivation is a combination of the fact that I am active in the group and enjoy the activities, and the fact that it's a rather challenging activity that has wider reaching ramifications than just our hobby.  Prepping for the future "emergency" situation by running exercises and public service events helps to in-grain the response one will have when the real thing does hit.  I'm not one that likes surprises, so being able to train and prepare helps to keep the focus off of the "what if" or "how will" questions. The old adage of "you'll fight like you train" holds true.  Add to that the fact that the service provided by the communications network hams can provide means that can be useful during situations that could arise, rather than sitting around watching everything unfold, means that since I have the ability to help; I can see more of what's going on rather than being "surprised" all the time.

AQU

4

As a member of both Districts 14&16, my primary role is to 16. Since I live in Pueblo, it is of course my primary area. Dist 16 has been gracious enough to allow me to be part of their organization, which has helped me in being better prepared though allowing me to train, and participate in the many events that they take part in. With either District, I see my primary role as a link between the public and the served agency that we help.

EOP

4

Knowledge of how to operate in tough (bad) situations and conditions. I have had the opportunity to take numerous FEMA classes via the computer, attended resident FEMA courses, and have taken the ARRL ECCOM courses. So, besides years of on hand experiences I also bring the class room knowledge with me.

FLM

4

As a field op, I can go into just about any situation, and get the job done.

IAP

4

Time & comm response when needed.

MLA

4

Right now, to help out where needed while balancing family, work, and ham radio in general.

NKG

4

Keeping the Colorado 2 Meter SSB Net active.

PAZ

4

I am a firm believer based off years of observation and experience in the U.S. Army that radio communication, be it any sort, is a perishable skill. It must be regularly practiced. If not, when the time does come to implement those skills the training time is over. You either know it or you don’t. I certainly do not want to be the one that places the effectiveness and overall success of an operation in jeopardy because I was lacking the necessary skills to perform the tasks required of me

PIM

4

My primary contribution so far has been participating in public service events and meeting the Tuesday evening net. I hope to be able to contribute in other ways in the future.

PRM

4

I honestly don’t know what I contribute.  I’m not the first person anybody chooses for their team, but then I don’t have a lot of experience, either.  I’m willing to volunteer for ad-hoc events if I can fit them in to my schedule, and I really like helping out in Public Service Events.  I’ve been able to get one young ham involved because she needs community service hours for her high school courses.  Events like the Ascent/Marathon are pretty unique ways for young people to participate in Colorado Springs life.

QPS

4

Availability & willingness to assist 

TER

4

Years of experience, strong operating and technical skills, lots of equipment, years of experience in operating portable in the field.

YCI

4

Aside from the funny quip of being a "strong back and weak mind", my ability to multi-task has come in very useful on multiple occasions.  I can keep tabs on what's going on all around me, leaving those who are better suited to planning out single aspects of an event free to do their jobs and help the event proceed a bit smoother (read: I can keep track of a lot of what's going on keeping those with one-track minds from going crazy due to information overload).

AQU

5

PPARES is very well involved in the communities that it serves. The training, events, and network with varying agencies is very well established and prepared for the many tasks that it has served over the years. My hats off to the staff and EC's that have helped us all look oh-so-good to those that ask for our help over the years.

EOP

5

I think that the training conducted at MEAT is fantastic. I think that some advanced classes should be offered. Also I think that ARES should start working on “typing” (per NIMS) and creating a national database

FLM

5

I believe PPARES is one the most highly trained groups in the nation.  We have been used a models for other ARES groups nation wide.  PPARES is not used as effectively as we could be city of Colorado Springs.  And in some cases the state.  I believe this is due to the political climate, and to some degree the turn over of the contacts we have made in the city, and county.  If PPARES was associated with some agency such as El Paso County we would have fewer problems.  But I also believe are autonomy gives us an edge we would not have with any such association.

IAP

5

Improved response times Planning & being prepared for future emergency events

MLA

5

I haven’t been involved to a great extent, so I can’t really comment on this one.  When I was active in the 90’s PPARES ran well and performed great service to the community.  I have no reason to doubt that this isn’t the case now.

NKG

5

Activities are very organized.  Loosen up a little. Do more planning on the radio so it’s not seen as a secret society. Make everyone feel included. Have fun.

PAZ

5

What does PPARES do well and what could be improved?  I think we do many things exceptionally well, membership communication, webpage, on air training, and emergency exercises to name a few.   Although more in the personal nature arena, one area in particular that I especially admire is the readiness of several members to teach, coach, guide, and mentor those who ask for assistance. My personal thanks go Dean (KA0PII), Wes (K0HBZ), Sid (K4ARM) and Mike (K0TER) for taking the time to answer all my questions and keep me pointed in the right direction.  These members are “key players” on our PPARES team and set a high standard for all to follow.

Packet operations are an area I feel needing improvement. There are only a few PPARES members that run 24/7 packet stations. Not nearly enough to support a large scale emergency in our area. There should and could be more.  Although packet has fallen out of favor with many, it is a digital mode that will serve us in D-14 extremely well.  It is well suited for passing messages quickly, both regular and “sensitive”, to a needed destination without tying up a voice frequency.  More and more organizations we currently support or will support will need to pass sensitive information. We need packet operators that are portable and can send and receive traffic properly. To that end I fully support a packet net that has been talked about several times recently. One of the best ways to learn is hands-on. Packet operation provides that.

PIM

5

The PPARES is, in my experience, one of the best prepared units I have had the privilege of participating in. Continuous training and individual motivation is exceptional here. I have experienced the opposite and have seen what happens when an ARES unit could be part of the solution, but instead became part of the problem.

On the other side, I am not so sure that our staff members have enough assistance from other members. I had a personal experience not long ago when one of our leaders asked for individuals who could provide some of their time assisting other staff members. I immediately volunteered via email, and in turn, received assurance that I would be contacted by a staff member. As stated in my email, I have many, many years of technical as well as operating experience, and being retired, have an abundance of time to dedicate.   Yet no one contacted me. I want to be of assistance to this organization, but first I have to be accepted by, and asked to assist one of our staff.

PRM

5

I think PPARES is pretty well organized.  When I was traveling a lot for work, I would listen to ARES nets in other parts of the country.  I was amazed at how lax and even incompetent they were.  There was massive confusion with the simplest of tasks—checking in on a repeater. 

Originally, I had the sense that there was sort of a secret handshake.  There was clearly an inner circle, and there seemed to be no (documented) way to gain entrance.  Later, I figured out that the problem might lie in training.  There’s not a regimen of training that’s required, even though (it seems to me) some of the skills are pretty arcane.  I’ve just about memorized mission plans, only to find that the plan represented only the tip of the iceberg in what an operator needed to know.  And while I realize it’s a volunteer organization, I am unhappy with how long it takes to get after-action reports posted—if at all.  To my formerly military mind, if there’s no after-action report, we didn’t learn anything.  And if we didn’t learn anything, we shouldn’t have done it.

QPS

5

Communicate 

TER

5

I believe we do almost everything well.  However, we can always improve anything and we do continually train to do so.

YCI

5

PPARES has become very adept at establishing reliable communications on extremely short notice in some very difficult situations at times.  Our ability to effectively communicate is being seen as a very large benefit to multiple served agencies in the area. 

As best I can tell, the areas that need improvement revolve around the need to get other hams involved.  While it's great that we have a lot of good operators that come out and support our activities, that group is going to get burned out very quickly if they're the only ones ever doing anything. 

Another improvement that could help with the previous one would be to figure out ways to do more training.  While it's good we have been able to do the SKYWARN seminar, M.E.A.T. on occasion, as well as a digital class or two from time to time, these activities are good to spark the interest of those hams who are looking to become more active, but are perhaps a bit timid to jump into things, they don't really have the chance, necessarily, to step out beyond that.  Scaling training sessions throughout the year (such as Packet 101 followed by a 201, or a M.E.A.T. followed up later by a more advanced training down the road, etc).  Unfortunately I can understand and appreciate the logistical nightmare that setting up multiple training sessions throughout the year can cause.  But I do think they are needed.  The final improvement I can think of that is needed is one that is a bit more challenging to overcome, and that is finding ways to get some "younger" folks active and involved.  We've got a lot of people who are currently very active and able to do, but they're not going to be able to do forever.  We're already seeing some of them start to be forced to limit their activities due to a variety of circumstances.  With school and just growing up in general, getting the interest of more of the younger crowd sparked can be challenging.  Even trying to get those who have finished with higher education to provide time, presuming we can find some interested in getting their ticket, is hard.  For disclosure, I'm fast pushing 30 (got about a year and a half to go...give or take)  and, off the top of my head, may be one of the youngest active* hams in PPARES. *By active I mean participating in more than one, maybe two, events per year. Field Day does not necessarily count.

AQU

6

Please do.

EOP

6

No, go ahead and use my name.

FLM

6

You may use my name with my answers.

IAP

6

NO

MLA

6

No.

NKG

6

No, and thanks for asking.

PAZ

6

Not at All

PIM

6

I have no objection to having my name used

PRM

6

Well, I’m the author.

QPS

6

sure 

TER

6

Only if you downplay my "bragging" answer to question 4.  :-)

YCI

6

Not at all...feel free to associate them. If that's not enough detail for what you were looking for, pleas feel free to let me know and I can try to elaborate.