The Codiac Amateur Radio Group (CARG), in cooperation with the Codiac RCMP, conducted its yearly Pumpkin Patrol, which covers the municipalities of Moncton, Dieppe, and Riverview. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision as to if the Pumpkin Patrol would go ahead this year was not taken until the last minute. This had a minor impact on the number of volunteers and patrol vehicles this year again. 

A total of 17 volunteers took part in the event in 10 vehicles which were organized in accordance with the 6 Codiac RCMP zones. 

CARG Pumpkin Patrol volunteers provided 70 volunteer hours and covered a total of 676 kms. We are happy to report that it was a very quiet night for our patrollers.

CARG looks forward to next year’s Pumpkin Patrol, which also provides our members with valuable hands-on training experience in providing public safety communications. This experience greatly increases our organization’s ability to provide reliable emergency communications during disasters.
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Taking part were Mike, VE9MTV, Mathieu and Maria, VE9MDB, Oscar, VE9OSK, Gilles, VE9NW, Marcia, VE9MMG, Mike, VE9MK, Gerald and Connie, VE9GDE, Gerry, VE9GER, Chris and Owen, VE9CS, Dave, VE9QED, Lou, VE9LMN, Larry, VE9ASB, and Jack, VE1AIR. The Pumpkin Patrol was organized by JP, VE9BK the CARG Emergency Coordinator who also manned the Pumpkin Patrol Net. 

Calling all station, this is VE9BK Net Control Station for the Codiac Amateur Radio Group (CARG) Simulated Emergency Test (SET). So began our annual SET Exercise at 7am on Saturday the 30th of October.

The goal was to exercise CARG mobile capability. This was accomplished by deploying mobile stations to various locations and to establish communications with the Net Control Station (NCS).  As a result, the 7 mobile units were sent to 14 different locations in the Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview, and Salisbury area. All mobile units were able to establishment communications with the NCS. 

In order to make things more interesting, we simulated the loss of the repeater being used and all mobiles units were directed to go to a simplex frequency. Surprisingly, all mobile units were able to establish communications with NCS using simplex. One unit was at the Salisbury Town Hall which is in a low lying area and was weak but readable.

During the exercise, the NCS and the mobile units practiced message handling. To accomplish this task, the NCS was manned by two operators. One dedicated to the SET NCS Net on the 880 repeater, while the other operator handled the transmission and receipt of messages on a simplex frequency. Some 10 messages were accurately sent and received during the exercise. This was designed to simulate the need to send/receive messages even while deployed in a mobile unit. It also allowed participants to test their ability to quickly change frequency on their mobile rig and having the required message forms and log sheets.

The exercise was scheduled to end at 10am, but by 9am all exercise objectives had been met and the decision was made to end the exercise. Since the exercise was mobile, participants were reminder to keep safety in mind at all times. As well, existing COVID regulations were adhered to. Tactical calls were used during the exercise and proper message handling and voice procedures were enforced by NCS. 
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Taking part in the exercise were Oscar, VE9OSK, Gilles, VE9NW, Michel, VE9JFL, Dave, VE9QED, Keith, VE9ELA, Dave, VE9PTT, and Mike, VE9MTV. The NCS was manned by JP, VE9BK, and Ross, VE9GCS.
CARG is always looking for volunteers. If interested, contact JP, VE9BK.