Author Archive: Patrick

On Saturday, June, 26th, MESAC participated in the National Field Day Event, setting up portable communications in the Costa Mesa City Hall parking lot. Examiners provided testing for FCC licensing, while numerous volunteers set up and demonstrated communications on High Frequency (HF), Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands. MESAC was also able to communicate via the International Space Station repeater during its pass overhead. We tested Goal Zero Inverters and solar panels and were able to test our MESH and Winlink capabilities.

On May 1st, 2021, Gordon West, WB6NOA and Ashley Fisher, KM6UJD facilitated instruction and testing for local emergency volunteers  to obtain their Technician License. Several others stopped by at testing to upgrade to their General License.

On May 19, 2021, MESAC Participated in the Southern California Interoperability Exercise known as CommEx. Operating out of the CMPD Mobile Command Vehicle, the MESAC Team acted as Communications Lead (COM-L) for “Honda Team 2”, comprised of the LA County Sheriff’s Communications Team, La Habra PD, and Brea PD.

MESAC members operated the Costa Mesa Police Department Mobile Command Vehicle, participating in the 2019 Radio Rodeo Exercise. The California Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (CalSIEC) conducts an annual test of Public Safety Command Post vehicles to ensure that they can communicate using the Statewide (or Countywide Interoperability channels) .

Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

MESAC will be operating at “Goat Hill” -2500 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92627. The site is across Placentia from the Estancia High School Tennis Courts, at the “Estancia N” traffic light. Please come join us between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. OCME will also have train rides available.

120 miles of pavement, 20 stages, over 8,000 runners, guests, family members, and support staff. Hot days and cold nights.  Blood. Sweat. Pride. Honor…..

That’s what the world’s most prestigious and unique law enforcement foot race is all about.  Starting in Baker, California and ending in Las Vegas, Nevada, law enforcement officers from around the globe battle it out every Spring for the chance of winning the coveted cup trophy.

MESAC is proud to be providing communications and vehicle support for the Costa Mesa Police Baker to Vegas Team

Communications Support, Saturday, April 22, 2017

The 10th Annual Costa Mesa Community Run will take place April 22nd at Fairview Park. This event features one of the best 5K and 10K courses you’ll find in Southern California. The run raises money for Costa Mesa’s schools.

MESAC provides communications support staff through out the course and provides logistical communications, including coordination should a runner need medical attention or just assistance off the course. MESAC also provides the staff with business band radios to improve set up, course coordination, event management and tear down.

The 10k course takes the runners on an out-and-back course through Fairview Park, onto the Santa Ana River Trail towards the beach, and then back to Estancia High School for a stadium finish.

2016 Community Run Video

https://www.facebook.com/costamesacommunityrun/

Sunday, February 5, 2017:   For the third year, MESAC volunteers provided additional communicators to support the Huntington Beach RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) Group under the Huntington Beach Fire Department. The RACES volunteers provide health, safety and welfare communications on the marathon race course, at medical tents, in support vehicles and at the police/fire/lifeguard unified command.

Run Surf City

Surf City Facebook Page

MESAC personnel took the Costa Mesa Police Mobile Command Vehicle (MCV) to Huntington Beach to participate in the Southern California communications exercise known as the “Radio Rodeo”

On November 15, 2016, public safety personnel from all over southern California participated in the annual Radio Rodeo, a training and testing exercise for mobile communications vehicles.  During the exercise, specific radio channels are tested in roll call fashion.    It is likely our Orange County participants were familiar with the 800 MHz channels tested, but may not have been as familiar  with  the channels  tested in  the VHF and UHF bands. 

Unlike a typical first responder vehicle, many have more than an 800 MHz radio.  In general, public safety agencies across the nation operate on one (or more) radio bands, commonly called VHF Low Band (30-50 MHz), VHF High Band (150-170 MHz), UHF (450-512 MHz), as well  as the band familiar  to Orange County, 800 MHz (our Countywide  Coordinated Communications  System (CCCS).   Since the VHF and UHF channels are not used day to day, the annual Radio Rodeo allows an opportunity for testing these interoperable resources.