This page explains the basics of emergency communications guidelines.
Basic
practices
Net
participation
Pro-words
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Basic Emergency Communication Practices
The following basic guidelines are a starting point towards being a
good emergency communicator:
- Listen before transmitting.
- Use standard ITU phonetics.
- Use 24-hour time format.
- Accuracy is the first priority, rather than speed.
- Be clear and concise by not using unnecessary words.
- Talk across the FACE of the microphone.
- Transmit messages exactly.
- Always transmit FACTS rather than hearsay.
- Stay alert -- take breaks when needed.
- Always know your location.
- Avoid using Q-signals or 10-codes in voice transmissions.
- Speak slowly and clearly, with little emotion in your voice.
- Use tactical call signs whenever possible.
- No wisecracks or jokes on an emergency net.
- Never transmit the names of deceased individuals over a voice
channel.
- Read every message before transmitting it. If you have questions
about what is being communicated, get clarificaton from the originating
party. A good message will never require the recipient to ask for
additional information.
Controlled Net Participation Guidelines
On a controlled net, such as an emergency net, be sure to adhere to the
following guidelines:
- LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. Remain silent unless you are called on or
have information for the net.
- Check in using your call sign. Use your call suffix or your assigned
tactical call to get the attention of Net Control.
- The Net Control station is "in charge" of all transmissions.
Permission of the Net Control station is required to make any contact.
Ask Net Control before contacting any station directly.
- Use the term "BREAK" to interrupt an existing conversation only if
you have emergency traffic that must be passed immediately. Otherwise,
just say your call sign and the net control station will recognize you
as soon as possible.
- Plan your message and keep it brief. Organize your thoughts or write
down your message before transmitting. Give only the FACTS; do not
"editorialize."
- Always acknowledge calls or instructions.
- Use clear vocabulary and standard ITU phonetics. Do not use
Q-signals.
- Receive permission before leaving the net. Make sure you check out
with Net Control.
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Proword Dictionary for Emergency Communication
To facilitate efficient communications, the following procedural words,
or "pro-words", were developed for use in emergencies, and by other
communicators, such as air traffic controllers.
- AFFIRMATIVE means "Yes" or "I agree" or "Permission granted."
- BREAK means you have emergency traffic that must be passed
immediately.
- CHECK BREAK means you are pausing to verify that the
receiving station has copied your message. An appropriate response from
the receiving station would be "COPY."
- CLEAR or OUT means your transmission is completed and
no answer is required or expected.
- CLOSE means you are shutting down your station and can no
longer be contacted.
- COPY THAT or ROGER means you have received the
transmission satisfactorily.
- CORRECT means you acknowledge what was transmitted as
correct.
- CORRECTION means an error has been made and the transmission
will continue with the last word correctly transmitted.
- DECIMAL indicates a decimal point.
- DISREGARD means an error has been made in the transmission
that is in progress and you are to completely ignore this transmission.
- FIGURES means that the following words are to be copied as
numbers.
- I SPELL means you will spell the following word(s)
phonetically.
- NEGATIVE means "No" or "I disagree" or "Permission denied."
- OUT or CLEAR means your transmission is completed and
no answer is required or expected.
- OVER means you are finished with your transmission and the
other station is expected to reply.
- ROGER or COPY THAT means you have received the
transmission satisfactorily.
- SAY AGAIN means you want the last message to be repeated. You
may include a modifier to have part of a message repeated, as in the
following examples:
- "Say again ALL AFTER __________"
- "Say again ALL BEFORE _________"
- "Say again WORD AFTER _________"
- "Say again WORD BEFORE ________"
- STANDBY or WAIT means you are not yet ready to copy.
You may include a time modifier, such as "Standby one."
- THIS IS means the transmission is from the station whose call
sign follows.
- WAIT or STANDBY means you are not yet ready to copy.
You may include a time modifier, such as "Standby one."
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Adapted from ARES guidelines
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