Our February OCHEART Team Zoom meeting was a terrific  introduction to APRS lead by Ted Lavino (KG6LZP). Starting with the definition of APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System), Ted reviewed how APRS works (see APRS.org for additional details), the frequency we use here in the US (144.39) and the system’s architecture. From there Ted explained the […]

At the OCHEART January 2021 Zoom Team meeting, Kriss Larson (KR6ISS) educated the Team about the non-Amateur communication tools that most U.S. medical facilities use today. He discusses how the staff members use the various communication devices and explores some of the options additional options available to hospital staff as well as some of the […]

The OCHEART BOSS team held it’s first meeting to discuss the details for the upcoming simplex exercise. OCHEART members participating in these BOSS exercises will test the ability to communicate using amateur radio simplex channels from various medical facilities to various hilltop locations in Orange County.  The results of these tests will be used to […]

What would happen if your local hospital’s communications systems were overwhelmed by: Damage to its electrical connection Damage to its telephone system Overwhelming patients due to Major earthquake Chemical explosion Massive wildfires Flooding Normal communications were disrupted resulting in confusion This is why OCHEART exists. Our Team of volunteers works with hospital administration and the […]

Monday March 2, 2020 was a historic day for OCHEART as we were able to sign a memo of understanding (MOU) with OCRACES to use their repeaters for our weekly nets as well as emergency operations when OCRACES is not activated. This is important for OCHEART as the county repeaters cover most of the county […]