T-REX 2017 AAR Summary

T-REX 2017 AAR Summary for Reporting Stations:



Color Saturation on map represents participation by state.

T-REX 2017 SIGCENs: There were a total of eight SigCens with the National SigCen located in Northern Idaho. The SigCens (Signal Centers) purpose is to provide communications support for various elements of leadership in a community or region. Their secondary function, besides local EMERGENCY traffic, is to correspond and coordinate with the other AmRRON SigCens, and National SigCen, to keep the network informed and connected.

 

2017 T-REX SIGCEN TESTIMONIES:
“Being part of a SigCen is an experience everyone should try at least once to get a different perspective on how message traffic moves through the system most effectively. I must say that the West Coast AmRRON operators rocked when it came to relaying traffic. Within hours we had an effective network of operators relaying up and down the western USA.”

“I have been with you since the beginning and it has been wonderful seeing how everything has developed over the years. I started out a new HF radio man and couldn’t tell you what FLDIGI was! Now about four years later I find myself manning a SigCen with 6 others! It’s hard to believe how far I have come and its awesome to see how much Amrron has grown in membership and knowledge.”

“Had a great….long….time with the other operators at the SIGCEN. Band conditions were terrible! Still, we were able to get about half the message traffic.”

“Great team effort experienced by all. Thanks for the opportunity to participate.”

“We have a very dedicated group here in North Carolina. Very proud of everyone’s performance. Traffic was passed to and from various SIGCENs including the National SIGCEN, as well as individual stations. Strengths were recognized, weaknesses were acknowledged, and discussions/ plans are in motion to make improvements.

 

 

2017 T-REX Participation/Support/Skills:

It does take some effort and training to become proficient with your radio gear! T-REX is an opportunity to put your grid down emergency preps and communications plan to the test. Some AmRRON operators have begun building local networks by reaching out to other members and encouraging like-minded friends and family to have an emergency communications plan. See the charts below for a better idea how other stations participated and their skills & experience during T-REX 2017!

 

Once again, HF digital was the most reliable mode! 80% of messages received were using digital modes. Digital has proven to be the most reliable way to pass information.

 

2017 T-REX TESTIMONIES: Here are a few quotes that stood out!

“Participation in the regularly scheduled nets is vital. Those operators, even the new hams that have been participating in nets were hands down the most effective. All in all great exercise and I am even more convinced I am among of the best group of radio operators on the planet.”

“With three sets of band pass filters, we were able to operate five HF stations simultaneously without too much interference with one another. The majority of the time was spent monitoring and therefore stations could be on the same bands at the same time. Communication and coordination had to be exercised when transmission became necessary.”

“We had two dipoles one running north/south and the other east/west, that way we were able to adjust to band conditions along with weather conditions.”

“We were able to build trust and friendship in our local team, which is a great feeling!”

We need more NCS stations and those stations need to be more thoroughly trained.

“Great group of people that worked really hard at getting and passing traffic.”

“Thanking experienced operators for support during the exercise.”

“I received 18 official messages and 8 or 10 unofficial ones. Using regional NCS’s really worked out great. I used the North Carolina and Ohio SIGCENs.”

“I believe that we need to explore ways to extend our simplex communication capabilities as this will be critical to local area communications in a complete grid-down scenario.”

“Our group was operating on local military time instead of Zulu and I was so confused that I missed nets and started some off time. We NEED to all be on the same clock. I have now changed my computer clocks to reflect military time so I will lean to convert that way now, wish I had of thought of that on Friday.”

 

80% of the reporting stations were AmRRON Corps Members!!
Learn more about joining AmRRON Corps!

“Everyone took a big leap in knowledge and confidence. We’ve got a few exercises behind us and know we work well together and can be depended on. I’m very pleased to be part of the Arizona AmRRON Corps.”

“Overall the exercise went much better this year- I attribute to the pre-training and commitment of those AmRRON Corps mentor stations.”

“Within our group of Corps operators, each individual has a genuine desire for individual growth, investing time and resources to develop their abilities in one or more areas. Group activities via nets, field days, antenna parties, dinners, etc. will only serve to further develop the local AmRRON Corps as individuals and as a group. Proverbs 27 declares… Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.“