ARES LAX NORTHEAST
News
Pasadena, July 13, 2024.
ARES LAX Northeast Excels in Angel Fall Complex Exercise
During the "Angel Fall Complex" exercise held on June 29, 2024, ARES LAX Northeast demonstrated exceptional teamwork and technical proficiency. This exercise tested the capabilities of amateur radio operators in a simulated scenario in which a cyberattack, orchestrated by a hacker group named "Specter Net," targeted Southern California’s healthcare infrastructure. The goal was to ensure that mission-critical communications could still be maintained despite the disruption.
Key Accomplishments
Successful transmission of forms: All stations transmitted mission-critical forms via VARA FM Chat, achieving a 100% success rate. This included bed availability and resource request spreadsheets, demonstrating VARA FM's efficiency in handling vital data.
Live service level updates: PinpointAPRS enabled operators to provide timely service level updates, which were easy to access and interpret, enhancing the overall responsiveness of the exercise.
Robust digital and voice coordination: The exercise highlighted the effectiveness of combining digital and voice operations. The disciplined approach of the operators ensures smooth communication and coordination, with voice net control on the LAX103 repeater and digital traffic on LAX303 simplex.
Lew Soloway, AC6LS, Assistant District Emergency Coordinator for ARES LAX Northeast and voice net control remarked that “emergency communications skills are perishable. Regular exercises, like the “Angel Fall Complex,” are critical to refreshing, enhancing and updating our skills as radio communicators. We also work closely with our hospital and county partners for these exercises, which strengthens our communities.”
Read the full article in the July ARES Letter.
Radio operators Jack KN6PDS, Robert K6YZF, Stan KE6ZC at San Dimas Hospital. Photo credit: Robert K6YZF
About us
ARES LAX Northeast District ("LAXNORTHEAST") is part of ARES LAX.
MISSION
ARES LAX mission is to support hospital communications in Los Angeles County using amateur radio when commercial options have been compromised.
WHAT WE DO
LAXNORTHEAST nets and events are open to all amateur radio operators interested in emergency communications. We provide
Emcomm training
Exercises (e.g. ShakeOut, LA County MRSE)
Event support (e.g. B2V, AC100, Walk for Kids)
Radio experimentation.
OUR NETS
Digital Practice Net - every Thursday 1900 - 2000L on 144.420 MHz simplex.
Voice Net - every Thursday 2000 - 2030L on the DARN system of repeaters (see DARN frequencies below).
Casual Roundtable Zello (1st Thursday), NextCloud Talk (3rd Thursday) or TeamTalk (2nd & 4th Thursday), as announced on the preceding voice net.
📃 FCC License Exam Sessions
LAXNORTHEAST administers FCC license exams, usually on 2nd Saturdays at 11:15AM at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.
See upcoming exam sessions at https://hamstudy.org/sessions/LAXNE/all
For details about our licensing sessions and new ham advice see here.
Join ARES LAX Northeast District - Click to JOIN
Joining ARES is free.
Our ARES LAXNORTHEAST Calendar
Our meetings and events are open to all interested in amateur emergency communications
See our calendar for Zoom Meetings and In-Person Activity Day dates and the latest updates:
What we do at ARES LAXNORTHEAST
🏥 LAXNORTHEAST supports hospitals on northeastern LA County and the Medical Alert Center at the LA County EMS Agency. See the slideshow below for additional details of our fun activities. 😃