CAPGear

Air Space Information for Ground Pounders with Garmin Handheld GPS Units

I came across this cool new tool on Facebook of all places.  Due to some really good Facebook Ad targeting (I was looking at an event titled "Camping"), I was served this ad:

Anyway, the tool seems like it could be useful to both Pilots and Aircrews who don't have an "aviation" GPS.  The product is call GmapAir - it's intended to be used only as a navagation aid, but I could see it being very useful for ground teams.  It could give you an idea of restricted airspace and maybe even help inform you about a missing aircrafts potential route around restricted airspace.  It provides all of the pertinant information including altitudes and in class B and C airspace it will give you the VFR approach control frequencies.

It's also not very expensive - $32.00 for "13 issues" in other words, an entire year of NFD updates from the FAA.  From their website:

"The GmapAir uses WGS84 coordinates published in NFD (National Flight Database) by FAA/NACO (Federal Aviation Administration / National Aeronautical Charting Office). The GmapAir is updated every 28-days synchronizes with NFD.
Therefore, the GmapAir is only available as an annual subscription (13 issues = USD 32.00)."

I haven't had a chance to load this onto my Oregon just yet, but I plan to.

For more information, head over to gmapair.com.

Spring is finally close

 After one of the hardest winters in recent memory its time to start thinking about spring.  along with that comes a fresh new look at our mission gear.  Gone are the heavy liners, gone are the parkas, M-65's and poly-propoline, and in are our wicking hot weather clothes.  With this in mind make sure you look at your field gear, make sure it fits with these new clothes, and make sure that you are packing the right equipment for your environment.    

Enjoy spring cleaning

Use caution durring SAR activities it's deer season after all

Last weekend marked the opening of Deer season in Iowa.  Since orange vests are a mandatory part of your ground team gear I thought that this would be a good chance to remind you all just how important it is to be safe durring field opertions.  

dont be mistaken for bambi.  Be safe out there

 

Enjoy the outdoors safley

John

www.isuhawkeye.typepad.com
 

 

Rescue Streamer

Getting the attention of an aircrew is a unique challenge that affects both victims, and rescuers.  The ability get and hold their attention has been the subject of a lot of time and energy.  With a lot of radios, beacons, flares, lights, and panels there are a number of devices available.  The "Rescue Streamer"  is a great tool to supplement other attention getting devices.  The streamer is a rolled up plastic sheet that is easily packed, stored, and deployed.  It is good for ground and water use.  

Check out a video demonstration of the streamer

John Halbrook

www.isuhawkeye.typepad.com

Conterra chest harness

There are many ways to manage ground team equipment.  Some searchers like vests, others like backpacks. The tools that these teams use depend upon their capabilities, and how they are used.  Today we are going to look at a different equipment carrier. 

The Conterra Company makes a chest rig that I have used for a number of years.  This chest rig fits comfortably, and allows easy maneuverability in a command post, on a vehicle, and in the field. 

The chest rig allows a searcher to quickly throw on a back pack with out interference, and allows you enough storage that you can keep your essential equipment with you at all times. 

The best benefit to a chest rig is the positioning of your radio.  Most responders end up clipping their hand held radio to a belt, or strap that hangs at your waist.  This is not the best position for accessing your communications device.  The chest rig will allow this radio it to be close at hand, and easily accessible. 

There are many different makes and models of chest rig, but This is the one I wear. 

Guest Post John Halbrook  

I thought I would take a moment to follow up and show you my chest harness after a day in the field.  You can see how the radio fits, and how I attach a simple clip knife to the rig

Map Planning Board

Any well managed Search and Rescue base has lots of status boards, papers, radios, and most importantly maps.  We use maps for planning, briefings, documentation, and organizing the mission.  In many cases we print, or write directly on the maps.  After a busy day of operations the crossing scribbles on the map leave the IC with “The fog of battle” cluttering up the printed maps.  An analog way to alleviate this confusion is to use a map board.  A map board consists of not much more than a piece of clear Plexiglas secured, or hinged to a backing.  Your map can be secured to the back piece, and the plastic cover folded over.  This protects your map, and allows you to use dry erase markers with out laminating anything.  It can get a little bulky, but it is a great tool when you have a large mission base set up.  

Guest Post by

John S. Halbrook

Zoom bag zipper light

Virtually every flight bag in America has at least one extra flashlight in it.  The idea of being out in the field at night with a blacked out instrument panel is not a position that any aircrew member ever wants to be in.  To combat this we pack all kinds of extra lights with us.  Unfortunately most of the time these back ups sit safe and sound in the storage area well out of reach of the pilot or crew.  With out the light in your hand, and ready for use it might as well be in the car parked at the FBO (That’s where it was last time).  To ensure that at least one flash light is available in an emergency I recommend that you attach it to your clothing.  

In this case the simple squeeze of the LED light provides enough illumination for an emergency, and it can be clipped right to the zipper of your zoom bag.  If you keep this little light as a part of your standard kit you will never be left in the dark.

Although there are many different products like the one I described the light I use is the micro light by inova.  

Guest Author

John Halbrook

The SPOT for Civil Air Patrol Use

Unless you have had your head in the sand you have probably heard of the SPOT.  This little orange box incorporates traits of an ELT, APRS, and a black berry phones.  The SPOT takes your GPS position, and on command delivers your position via the globaltar sat phone network.  Those of you who have been around CAP for a while know that Globalstar’s phone’s suck, and CAP’s SDIS program has suffered as a result of this particular sat phone providers reliability.  Fortunately the SPOT does not run on the duplex signal that is needed for phones to work.  This system is one way communication, and works very reliably on the Simplex aspect of the satellite. 

The SPOT takes one of three signal reports from the field.  A SPOT beacon can, with the push of a button send an OK message.  This message is preconfigured, and sent via e-mail, or text message to a list of designated recipients.  Those people who get your OK message will receive your latitude and Longitude overlaid on a Google map for easy reference.  The Help button has very similar features as the OK button, only the formatted text asks the recipient to help you out of what ever Jam you just got yourself into.  The last messge feature is the panic button.  911 contacts the GEOS rescue center.  This center is staffed 24/7.  When a 911 call comes in they immediately alert your contacts, and the closest authorities to send rescue resources to your position. 

Along with the messaging features SPOT also provides a tracking option.  Activating the unit in a special way instructs it to send a position report every 10 minutes  This allows onlookers to log into a web site and follow your progress real time. 

This tool has some incredibly powerful uses for Search and rescue teams.  CAP has a habit of sending air crews, and ground teams into disaster areas.  In some cases these teams have no Cell contact, and their only means of communication is through a high bird relay.  I know that I have been on many ELT missions,, and I have lost contact with my aircraft.  In those cases you feel completely cut off.  If something were to happen no one would know.  To solve this problem a SPOT could be issued to teams.  Help, and OK messages could be passed in place of 30 minute VHF radio check ins.  The Spot could also be used as a blue force tracker to ensure that teams are working in designated Search areas. 

Overall this could be an excellent SAR tool.  At 150 per unit, and an extra service fee each year it might not be realistic for members to purchase these units, but CAP already buys Radios, and has a very large service contract with Globalstar.  You never know what arrangements could be made at the corporate level. 

 

 

CAPGear Custom: CAP Vest ID Patch...

This is hopefully going to become a regular feature here on CAPGear.

Custom gear specifically made for CAP.

To start things off, I thought I would go simple yet functional.  Many field operators choose to use a "Tactical" vest - every other agency has a means for identifying themselves from behind while wearing their "tac" vest.  CAP has been lacking in this area, until now:

Presenting the CAP agency identification patch.  I have custom made a number of these which I will make available to anyone who emails me for the low low price of $20 each this includes shipping via US Mail.

All you need is the soft side of your standard hook and loop fastener and a "tac" vest to attach it to.

SAREX Report: Pryme Heavy Duty Speaker Microphone

This is going to be a new ongoing segment here on CAPGear where we focus on the performance of one piece of gear in the field.

Our first victim topic will be the Pryme Radio Products Heavy Duty Speaker Microphone that I recently purchased from TWA Comm.

This was a simple 1-day SAREX with several ground and air scenarios (which began with an actual, but that's another story).  This mic perfromed flawlessly and came with some bonus features I was not aware of.  First, it has 3 push-to-talk buttons - that's right, 3.  The first one is the standard side of the microphone one you see on every speaker mic, the second one was a nice button on the connector itself, I can see this would be handy if you wanted to begin transmitting discreetly - not super useful for us, but cool in general.  The final button is the most amazing.  When I opened the unit I started playing with it before it was connected to the radio.  I noticed that the actual speaker assembly seemed to be "loose".  I was a little miffed because it was brand new and I need something for Saturday.  Well in the process of playing with it I pushed it in pretty far and felt the click of a button.  I thought that was curious - well, it turns out the entire speaker itself is a PTT button.  That was especially handy because I was wearing gloves, and without the tactile sense it was hard to find exactly where the (fully rubber jacketed) side mounted PTT was.

This thing came in so handy, at one point while we were regrouping after finding an ELT I actually stopped the team and announced how useful it was.  One of the best $80 bucks I've ever spent.

Now for a summary of the pros and cons.

Pros:

• 3 PTT Buttons
• Rugged Water Resistant Case
• 3.5mm Connector on the Mic itself for a concealed earphone
• Clear Audio Components
• Durable Coiled Cord
• Large Durable Metal Reinforced Clip

Cons:

• It's BIG about 2" x 2" x 3/4" deep
• The connector for the EF Johnson Radio is bulky, I imagine any speaker mic would have this issue
• The screw used to secure the connector requires a small screw driver to tighten - a tool not readily available in the field - hate to ruin a knife tip on this

Overall, I would say anyone looking for a speaker mic for their shiny new Civil Air Patrol Radio should pick this one up, I imagine it will last forever.