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WA6OPS

12/26/2014

4 Comments

 

Episode 22 - April Moell - WA6OPS

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In 1980, when the hospital where she worked had a phone system failure, April Moell, WA6OPS, gave a call to local hams to come provide support. She discovered that hospitals in every community frequently have communications failures that risk the lives and safety of patients. Thirty years after founding the Hospital Disaster Support Communications System, April and her group now provide emergency communications to over 34 hospitals in her area.  Join Eric, 4Z1UG, in his QSO Today with WA6OPS.

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Married to: Joe Moell, K0OV - author of books and articles on transmitter hunting and radio location

First Licensed: WA6OPS, 1976

First Rig: Drake TR33C, 2 meter portable.  

Quote: "Its not a hobby any more, its a life style."  

B1RD - Pet cockatoo named Romeo

Hospital Disaster Support Communications System, (HDSCS for short)
website
  • First organized in 1980 as a response to PBX failure at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton, California. 
  • Now provides emergency support 34 hospitals in Orange County, California
  • Hospital Incident Command System - now a standard developed by Paul Russell, KD6COP
  • HICS213 message form
  • Patient Privacy, HIPAA, and Amateur Radio Communication
  • National Drug Code Directory - "NDC"

Takeaways: 
  • hams should respond to emergencies only if they are a part of an organized group
  • training is key to organized response  
  • hospitals have communications emergencies 
  • hospitals have non-emergencies - maintenance intervals on electric and telephone systems
  • non-emergency standby operations are great training exercises
  • "I don't know why you call your foks amateurs when they are so professional"
  • Hams as pro-active listeners and observers for busy hospital staff

What's in April's "Go Kit"
  • VHF and UHF Portable radio
  • Batteries to last hours
  • Folding J-Pole antenna
  • headset or ear phones
  • medications, food, and water
  • RF adapters
  • Article on the official HDSCS Go Kit

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Drake TR-33C 2 meter (1970s)
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HDSCS at work in a local hospital
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Field Day at Huntington Beach Hospital
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April on the radio
4 Comments
Kent Peterson
12/27/2014 02:54:47 pm

I run a local FM net in the Twin Cities and with the temporary loss of A.R. Newsline ran an edited 30 minute segment of April's QSO this evening. Several hams expressed their gratitude for sharing it on the net tonight. So a thanks to Eric and April for a lively discussion! 73. Kent KC0DGY

Reply
Eric 4Z1UG link
12/28/2014 08:39:23 pm

Thanks Kent for introducing QSO Today to your listeners.
73, Eric

Reply
Wayne Yoshida link
9/27/2021 12:08:06 pm

Great story about April WA6OPS. Love the quote about ham radio being a life style. Thanks Eric and April! de Wayne KH6WZ

Reply
Alan W7RQM link
9/15/2022 01:47:35 pm


I have so many great memories when I was active with this group!

Reply



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