Lincoln
County ARES
ARES COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS GUIDE
VOLUNTEERS
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.....................
.
.4
DEFINITIONS................................................
6
OPERATIONAL
GUIDELINES.....................................
.
..8
Policy and Guidelines for The ARES Communications (to be added
later)
Organization
Emergency Radio Operations Necessities
.
...9
ARES Communications and Emergency Traffic
Handling
.
.
.9
PLANNING FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS......................
..11
PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES..................................
.15
ARES Emergency Coordinators (EC)
Responsibilities
.
..15
Net Control Responsibilities
.
16
OPERATIONAL
PROCEDURES..........
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..19
MOBILIZATION,
CALL‑UP AND DEPLOYMENT
..
19
ARES Communications Mobilization Procedures
.
.19
ECs Operations Check list
.
..20
Call‑up List
.In the
ARES operators handbook
.
Primary and Alternate
Frequencies........................
... 22
Mutual Aid Operation (ARESMAT)
...23
Demobilization
.. 24
Personnel Demobilization Critique Sheet
25
SAFETY.....................................................
..
.26
NET OPERATION AND TRAFFIC HANDLING PROCEDURES..............
.27
Voice Operations
...27
Basic Network Types
28
Directed, Formal Net Procedures
30
Precedences
....31
Tactical Call Signs
.32
Incident Operational Terminology
..34
Prowords / Prosigns: The Key To Accurate, Efficient
Communications
..40
Proword / Prosign Definitions
41
Phonetic Alphabet and Figures (Numbers)
Pronunciation
...43
ARES Support message Format
..44
ARES Communications Tactical Message Format
45
Shadow Operations
..45
Packet Traffic Handling
..46
Packet Net Operations
.48
OPERATIONAL SIGNAL PROPAGATION
..
50
Modes Of Transmission....................................
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50
Packet Radio.............................................
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.51
Area Coverage vs. Frequency..............................
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.52
Local / County / Regional..............................
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.52
County / Regional / Intrastate /
Interstate............
..
...53
Interstate /
International.............................
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...53
ARES COMMUNICATIONS AND WELFARE TRAFFIC.........
.
54
Telephone
Patching........................................
..54
OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES...................................
..55
Emergency Operation Capabilities.........................
.
55
Capabilities at
Home...................................
.55
Capabilities as a
Mobile...............................
...56
Capabilities as a
Transportable........................
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..57
Capabilities as a
Portable.............................
58
Emergency
Power..........................................
59
Generators.............................................
.59
Batteries..............................................
...61
Portable
Antennas........................................
...61
Packet Operation Equipment Requirements....................
...62
Personal Equipment Check List............................
.
63
APPENDICES.................................................
...65
APPENDIX
A.................................................
....65
ARES COMMUNICATIONS AND
WELFARE TRAFFIC....................
.
.66
Amateur Message Form
(Welfare)...........................
.
.66
ARRL Numbered
Radiograms.................................
.
..67
TELEPHONE
PATCHING.........................................
.70
Using 911 Auto patch or Phone
Patch.......................
.
70
Phone Patching
Procedures................................
.
..72
RIGHTS
1. The right to be treated
as a co‑worker; not just free help.
2.
The right to a suitable assignment.
3.
The right to know as much as possible about the organization; policy,
people and programs.
4.
The right to participate in activities.
5.
The right to quality training.
6.
The right to sound guidance and direction.
7.
The right to proper working conditions.
8.
The right to promotion and a variety of experience.
9.
The right to be heard; to have a part in the planning.
10. The right to recognition, through
promotion, reward and expression of appreciation by professionals.
Rights and responsibilities are mutual and
inseparable. You can ensure enjoyment
of the one only by exercising the other.
The rights of all of us depend on responsibility by each of us.
To secure and expand
our rights, therefore, you must accept these responsibilities as individual
members of an organization.
1.
Be fully responsible for our own actions and for the consequences of
those actions. Freedom to choose
carries with it the responsibility for our choices.
2.
Respect the rights and beliefs of others. In a free society, diversity flourishes. Courtesy and consideration toward others are
measures of a civilized society.
3.
Give sympathy, understanding and help to others. As you hope others will help you when you
are in need, you should help others when they are in need.
4. Do
your best to meet your own and our families' needs. By helping our selves and those closest to you, you become
productive members of an organization; you contribute to the strength of that
organization.
5.
Respect and obey the rules, regulations and guidelines. These are mutually accepted rules,
regulations and guidelines by which, together, we maintain a fully operational
organization. These rules, regulations and guidelines are the foundation of an
organization. That foundation should
provide an orderly process for changing these rules, regulations and guidelines. It also depends on your obeying these rules,
regulations and guidelines once they have been freely adopted.
6.
Respect the properties of others, both private and public. No one has
the right to what is not his or hers. The right to enjoy what is yours depends
on your respecting the right of others to enjoy what is theirs.
7.
Share with others your appreciation of the benefits and obligations of
your rights. Rights shared are
strengthened.
8.
Participate constructively in the organizational life. An organization depends on an active
membership. It depends equally on an informed membership.
9.
Help your rights survive by assuming responsibility for their
defense. Your rights cannot survive
unless you defend them. Their security rests on the individual determination of
each of us to help preserve them.
10.
Respect the rights and meet the responsibilities on which your
organization depends. This is the
essence of a functioning organization.
Maintaining it requires our common effort, all together and each of us
individually.
EMERGENCY, INCIDENT, DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
1. Emergency
There is a sign around that
reads "Your emergency is not necessarily my emergency!"
That applies to us as people
AND to governments. The definition of an emergency varies from place to place
either by law, custom or some other reason.
While those involved in
emergency communications probably know what an emergency is, that's not the
point; rather, let's be specific so we are talking a standard meaning.
Some areas define emergency
as "a situation of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons
and property".
The term
"emergency" is also used to identify a conditional state, such as a
proclamation by a government. Typically, there are three such conditions: State
of War Emergency, State of Emergency, and Local Emergency. (Various areas may
define these differently, as by the type of declaration: i.e., Federal, State,
County, Local.)
Webster defines it as "a
sudden or unexpected occurrence or combination of occurrences demanding prompt
action." That definition seems to fit well in communications. Perhaps we
can adopt that as a standard meaning.
While all this may seem
obvious to experienced responders we cannot afford to assume that we currently
share a common language across state and national boundaries. Effective
communication systems begin with good understanding of words and meanings. If
you think you know what "communication" means, take a look at Roget's
International Thesaurus. You may find it enlightening to discover the many uses
for the term.
2. Incident
An incident is defined as an
occurrence or event (either human or natural caused) requiring action by
emergency response personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to
property and/or natural resources.
Incident characteristics include:
‑ Usually of a short duration (hours or days)
‑ Primary command decisions made at the incident scene
‑ Strategy, tactics and resource assignments determined on
scene
‑ Usually a local emergency will not be declared and a
local EOC may not be activated
‑ a single event (however, there can be more than a single
incident; i.e., multiple incidents)
‑ with a defined geographical area
‑ will use local resources; but mutual aid may be involved
‑ may be only one or a few agencies involved (i.e., fire)
‑ ordinary threat to life and property ‑ limited
population and geographic area
3. Disaster
A disaster is defined as a
sudden calamitous emergency event bringing great damage, loss or destruction.
Disasters may occur with little or no advance warning, e.g., an earthquake, or
a flash flood, or they may develop from one or more incidents; e.g., a major
brush fire.
Distinguishing
characteristics include:
‑ generally affects a widespread population and geographic
area
‑ will last over a substantial time period (days to weeks)
‑ local government will proclaim an emergency (as may other
levels, such as state/federal)
‑ Emergency Operations Centers are activated to provide
central overall coordination of jurisdiction assets, department and incident
support functions and initial recovery coordination.
‑ single or multiple event (can have many separate
incidents associated with it)
‑ resource demand is beyond local capabilities and
extensive outside aid/support is needed
‑ many agencies and jurisdictions involved, including
multiple layers of government
‑ extra‑ordinary threat to life and property
4. Emergency Management
There are four phases of
emergency management in which all activities can be grouped. The following is a short definition of each.
PREPAREDNESS: preparing to
handle an emergency. This includes
plans or preparations to save lives and to help response and rescue
operations. Evacuation plans and
stocking food, water and other supplies, are all examples of preparedness
activities taken before an emergency occurs.
RESPONSE: Responding safely to an emergency. This includes actions taken to save
lives and prevent further property
damage in a disaster or emergency situation.
Response is putting your preparedness plans into action. Seeking shelter from a tornado or turning
off gas valves after an earthquake are both response activities. Response activities take place during an
emergency.
RECOVERY:
Recovering from an emergency includes actions taken to return to a
normal, or even a safer situation following an emergency. Recovery includes getting financial
assistance to help pay for repairs.
Recovery activities take place after an emergency.
MITIGATION: Preventing
future emergencies or minimizing their effects. This includes any activities that might prevent an emergency from
happening again, or reducing the severity of unavoidable emergencies. Buying flood or fire insurance for your home
and business are examples of mitigation activities. Mitigation takes place both before and after an emergency takes
place.
After examining the above four phases we can see that
emergency management is a full circle of never ending activities. No mater where you live, or what emergencies
have occurred in the past, emergency management is working to insure that when
an emergency does happen, a minimum of live and property will be effected.
OPERATIONAL
GUIDELINES
POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR THE ARES COMMUNICATIONS
ORGANIZATION,
This will be added at a later
date.
When handling emergency traffic with another station all
operators need to have the necessary tools to do a good job. These tools are not always something
material. See information as follows:
1. Willingness to give of
yourself. Participating in volunteer
communications during times of emergency and especially disasters can be very
time consuming and stressful.
2. Knowledge of proper operating procedures. This includes the use of call signs,
prowords/prosigns and the phonetic alphabet.
3. The proper equipment.
Radios, antennas, computer and power sources. The proper kind for the job at hand.
4. Knowledge of equipment set up and operation. If a change in frequency or mode of
transmission or a different antenna is required to maintain contact, knowing
the equipment is the only way.
5. Experience. This can
only be had from training on exercises and from actual participation in a
communications emergency.
6. Confidence. This will
be gained from the combination of the above.
It takes time, practice and effort.
It doesn't just happen.
Unlike the dialogue used in normal amateur radio "rag‑chewing",
emergency communication dialogue is much more formal and brief. By formal we mean the use of certain proven
procedures and procedure words (prowords) and procedure signs (prosigns)
etc...) Which help insure the timely, accurate delivery of traffic.
Many "Old Timers" who have operated more extensively on
the high frequency (HF) amateur bands have developed certain habits within
their dialogue, which could impede emergency traffic. Many operators have never worked any of the routine health and
welfare networks (such as the National Traffic System, NTS) that exist and
follow, to some extent, an almost exact formal format.
Those of us who use the very high frequency (VHF) and the ultra
high frequency (UHF), frequency modulated, repeater and simplex nets for
routine traffic use a more brief dialogue (assisted often by a courtesy tone,
"bleep‑blooping" the end of every transmission) thanks in some
part to advanced technology.
This technology has improved the ability of the radio operator to
deliver timely and accurate traffic without the use of the time proven methods
that were required not too long ago.
However, it is important to remember that when the time comes to handle
priority and/or emergency traffic, technology can and does let us down. We have to consider the worst case (simplex,
fringe area) when we are working within emergency situations.
More and more often an incident official will find it more
beneficial to talk one‑on‑one with others. Especially if some complicated and difficult
decisions have to be made. The non-verbal communications (change in voice tone
or hesitations in speech and speech patterns) that always take place between
those who are involved in a discussion often "say" just as much to a
person as the words do. Generally the need for this one‑on‑one
communications increases as the responsibility of the individual or the urgency
of the traffic increases. Third party
traffic via phone patches or television would fill this requirement. This of course requires more capability
(equipment and expertise in its use) on the part of the individual and the
organizations that respond to an incident.
Occasionally there will be a written follow‑up on decisions and
instructions, which are initiated via phone patch or television. Here again knowledge and experience in the
proper emergency traffic handling procedures for written traffic will enhance
any organizations capability.
According to the FCC the Amateur Radio Service is a voluntary,
disciplined communications service guided by five traditional objectives.
1. Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur
service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service,
particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
2. Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to
contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
3. Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through
rules, which provide for advancing skills in both communication and technical
phases of the art.
4. Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio
service of trained operators, technicians, and electronic experts.
5. Continuation and extension of the amateurs unique ability to
enhance international goodwill.
(NOTE: Pay special attention
to the word "disciplined" and numbers 1, 3 and 4. If these are
considered and observed then numbers 2 and 5 will almost naturally follow.)
ARES COMMUNICATIONS is a radio communication service
certified by the American Radio Relay League, and conducted by volunteer licensed
radio operators, for providing emergency radio communications to public service
(Red Cross etc.) organizations. It can
easily be seen why the word "disciplined" and objectives 1, 3 and 4
(from paragraph 2 above) are and should be so very important and why
operational procedures are necessary.
There is a question about business communications a related to
emergency communications. Both Sections
97.111 and 97.113 allow business communications during emergencies. This means that during a flood or fire you
may use your radio to assist the agency even though this sort of activity is
the business of the agency.
Confidentiality of information that operators have access to
during an incident is of the utmost importance. It is not the responsibility of an operator to dispense incident
information to anyone. The agency has a
Fire Information Officers who will be responsible for the release of any
incident information.
Take a look at a, who, what,
when, where, why and how approach to setting up operations.
WHO? ‑ All
hospitals with Emergency Rooms
‑ Regional medical centers (if appropriate)
‑ Operational Area (OA) Medical Coordinators
‑ State DES Mutual Aid Region Medical Coordinator?
‑ Operational Area health agencies
‑ Local health agencies
‑ State DES Regional EOCs?
‑ Local EOCs?
‑ Any Local agency (Fire, L.E., Animal Control,
Flood/Water)
‑ State Health & Welfare Agency?
‑ ICS Positions as Aids or Shadows
WHAT? ‑
Hospital to hospital communications
‑ State DES Mutual Aid Region medical coordination
‑ Emergency ambulance coordination
‑ Temporary auxiliary radio system during telephone
system failure
‑ Local Agency
logistical or resource communications
WHEN? ‑ Day‑to‑day
coordination
‑ Disaster or incident communications, limited term,
for the reasons previously described.
WHERE? ‑ All hospitals (for beds available status)
‑ Ambulances (both emergency and simply transport)
‑ State DES Mutual Aid Region Medical Coordination
Center?
‑ Any agency
(Fire, L.E., Animal Control, Flood/Water)
‑ Local health departments?
‑ Any Local agency (Fire, L.E., Animal Control,
Flood/Water)
‑ State health department?
‑ Operational Area EOC?
‑ Local EOC?
‑ State DES Regional EOC (where applicable)?
‑ ICS positions locations
‑ EOC
WHY? ‑
Prompt beds available inventory
‑ Routing of ambulances and buses (for the ambulatory
wounded) to hospitals
‑ Temporary intra/inter hospital radio communications
during telephone outage
‑ Coordinate logistical or resource requests
‑ Disaster or incident communications, limited term,
for the reasons previously described.
HOW? ‑
Indigenous, plant‑in‑place communications systems:
‑ Telephone and facsimile
‑ Telephone (dedicated leased lines)
‑ Cellular telephone (Not to be relied upon!)
‑ Existing two‑way radio systems. HEAR
(Hospital Emergency
‑ Area Radio)?
‑ Inter‑hospital microwave systems
‑ Auxiliary Communications Organization Radio
Systems
‑ Temporary emergency communications: Temporary
government two‑way radio systems by communications volunteers onsite and
on any buses pressed into service for major incident triage site to hospitals and
care centers (Amateur Radio by ARES, RACES, and/or groups specifically
assembled by some hospitals for this purpose)
PLANNING SUGGESTION:
1. Design yourself a
matrix. Down the left-hand side itemize
all of possible methods of communication. Across the top list every site that
has (or should have) one or more of the communications system under
"How?" This is the inventory
phase of your planning.
2. Deficiency phase. From the inventory matrix it should be
readily seen where the deficiencies are in your communications world. If in doubt, consult with a Public Safety
communications expert. Such people must
be on your team.
3. Correction Plan. How do you remedy the deficiencies? Are
there low or no‑cost "fixes," albeit temporary? What are the long-term solutions? What will it cost? How can it be phased over
time?
4.Identify the OPR (office of
primary responsibility) for each task even if it only a partial plan or their
segment of a plan. Who do you need to
coordinate with that is necessary to the success in achieving your goals? Assemble a team. Delegate responsibilities.
Set mileposts and target dates.
Follow‑up.
PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES
The ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) is the most important
position in the organization. This
person should have the supervisory, management and leadership qualities needed
to head an organization of volunteers who will have to perform under stress
when the need arises. This person will display interest, dedication, and
professionalism. The EC should be an expert in emergency communications and set
an example for organizational personnel to follow. More specific responsibilities follow:
1. To act as liaison to
the agency within the area of jurisdiction.
2. Insure that agency
understands the ARES Communications program.
3. Integrate and maintain
a close and harmonious relationship with RACES, MARS and CAP organizations that
operate within the area of jurisdiction.
4. Insure that ARES
personnel are used as frequently as possible in special events for training
purposes, exercises and real emergencies.
5. Encourage all amateur
radio groups within the jurisdiction to participate in or establish emergency
communication organizations.
6. Recommend changes or
updates of the ARES Communications documentation to the agency.
7. Coordinates the ARES
Communications, organization and emergency participation of personnel and
equipment (resources) within the area of jurisdiction.
8. Provide direction in
the routing and handling of, first, tactical and logistical or, second, health
and welfare communications traffic.
9. Coordinates the reporting
and documentation of the ARES Communications organizational resources and its
activities within the area of jurisdiction.
10. Act as a model
emergency communicator as evidenced by dedication to purpose, reliability and
understanding of emergency communications.
11. Assign personnel to
perform the duties of the EC in your absence.
12. Assign personnel to
act as Training Officer and any other positions as required.
13. Follow the
Coordinators check list when setting up and operating an emergency or training
net.
The Net Control Station has total responsibility for and total
authority over a net while in session, even over the EC or the alternate. The outcome of an exercise and/or a real
emergency situation will rest in the hands of the Net Control. There should be several members of the ARES
organization well trained in net control procedures and standard traffic
handling/
operating procedures as
required in a formal directed net. Have
the trained Net Control's take turns (monthly with the next months' NCS as
alternate for this month's NCS) and be responsible for the months training
plan. Here are some points to remember.
1. You are in charge of
the net but don't push your weight around.
One of your jobs is to teach net discipline by setting the example.
2. Be on time and handle
traffic on the net in a timely manner.
Don't let the net get too informal and waste time.
3. Know your operators
and their locations. You need to know
how and where your net fits into the situation at all times.
4. Insure that your
equipment and antennas are in good working condition. You always need to be heard by every station possible. Insure there is an alternate NCS standing by
in case you do go off the air.
5. Generally the EC, but
sometimes you, sets the net frequency.
Know your alternates. If a contact
is already in progress on frequency and refuses to move, than go to a secondary
or change frequency a few KHZ. Know how
to tell intentional from accidental interference. The agency ARES does not own any frequency. Whoever is there first should get to stay.
The
precedence of the traffic may
help determine, after mediation, who gets the frequency.
6. Get all the information you can (situation, station locations,
shift lengths, frequencies, agency of primary responsibility etc.) before you
put your net into service.
7. Keep a log of every net operation. The FCC has dropped logging requirements, however, unless you
have an exceptional memory you will forget some things that you shouldn't. If traffic gets heavy and you have to send
operators to other frequencies, you need to know where they went. The call signs of the operator, time,
subject, and precedence for each piece of traffic as a minimum.
8. This is one position
(probably the only one) that can operate from an operators home. As long as there is an alternate communication
channel (including telephone) that will provide the ARES Coordinator with a way
to send and receive instructions.
NOTE: This position
should never operate from a command post (CP) or emergency operations center
(EOC) as a separate station if there is a high volume of traffic. This would place all of the highest traffic
load stations in one location and increase the possibility of errors and
interference. If the traffic load is
light the NCS and CP/EOC station/operator can serve the dual function.
Everyone will have their own style but if these recommended
guidelines are followed by each net control operator the net should work out
very well.
All operators need to know what to do and how to do it when it
comes to operating on a ARES net. Each
operator has a duty to be self‑disciplined. One operator who does not make an effort to be the best they can
be could cause the net to be less than it should be. Here are some tips that all operators should heed.
1. Make sure you go to
the correct frequency. Delays caused in
getting all operators on frequency affect the whole net.
2. Be on time and handle
traffic on the net in a timely manner.
Don't let yourself get too informal and waste time.
3. Respond to the
instructions of the NCS. Always go
through the NCS for any of your requests.
Let the NCS run the net, resist the temptation to help.
4. Insure that your
equipment and antennas are in good working condition. You always need to be heard by every station possible. Do your best to have whatever type of
equipment that may be needed in any type of situation. Use the minimum transmitter output power
required maintaining a solid contact.
Keep batteries charged.
5. Know your
equipment. Understand its
operation. You may have to adapt to an
unusual situation. Have a mini
checklist for every piece of equipment you may use in the field. Another operator may have to use your
equipment while you are not present. Be
prepared.
6. Know your area of
responsibility. (City, county
etc.) Keep current maps for an area at
least a 50-mile radius. You may assist
neighboring ARES organizations inside their areas via mutual aid.
7. Get all information
you can (situation, location, frequencies, shift length, agency of primary
responsibility, reporting time, etc.) before going into action.
8. Do not leave the net without permission of the
NCS. When temporary time off is needed
or you wish to close your station check out with the NCS first.
9. Be brief when transmitting to the NCS. Keep everything short and simple.
10. Know how the net
runs. Learn the recommended net and
traffic handling procedures. Participate
in training sessions and exercises.
Practice will pull everything together.
11. REMEMBER, AS
OPERATORS, WE PASS ON TRAFFIC EXACTLY THE
WAY WE RECEIVE IT. If you have a question, ask it. Do not assume anything where a piece of
traffic is concerned.
12. KNOW THE PRIORITY FOR EACH PIECE OF TRAFFIC. If it's too high, a more important message
may get delayed. If too low, your message
may get delayed. Timely delivery is
just as important as the content of a piece of traffic.
13. Insure, where possible, that you have each piece of traffic
in writing. A later reference or
correction may be required. We can't
remember, exactly, the content of each piece of traffic.
OPERATIONAL
PROCEDURES
In the event that Boyle and Lincoln County ARES is called upon to
help organize mutual aid assistance or emergency communications, the following
procedures should be followed as closely as possible. Some of these procedures could vary depending on the
circumstances surrounding the specific incident.
1. (Agency Name) will notify
the EC or alternate and order the mobilization of the Organization. The first person on the list that is
notified will act in the ECs stead until he/she can be reached.
2. Initiate the call‑up
procedures.
3. The first person
notified by the EC is responsible to insure the call‑up is completed and
personnel are informed of the current information.
4. Set up the initial
work schedule while the call‑up is being completed. (This may require an assistant to be
assigned to follow up on the personnel not initially contacted via the call‑up
procedures.)
5. If the ARES team is
depleted then you will have to go to adjacent county or Section for mutual aid
for assistance. Set up an ongoing
schedule for assistance or operators as the situation requires.
6. Obtain incident mutual aid assistance via, first, the
telephone or if necessary assign an operator to go to the correct resource net
frequency, or repeater, for the incident if required.
7. Using the following
Mutual Aid Check List, make an initial evaluation of the requirements vs.
resources with the incident agency resource manager.
8. Keep a log or
documentation trail of all details.
9. The Agency Manager or
Coordinator (or the EC with their permission) will contact other ECs, to ask if
their ARES resources can be called up or go on standby to provide mutual aid.
The EC and trained alternates from the ARES staff is to manage
the entire operation at all times. Only
when there is a need for an operator or manager that no one else can fulfill,
or for training purposes, is staff to go into the field. When this occasion occurs, responsibilities
will be turned over to a trained alternate until such time as the staff member
can return to their primary duties. The
EC or alternate must always be within reach of the agency Manager or
Coordinator.
Note: If personnel are
sent to the field, insure that they are valid resource orders with both the
incident resource order mission number and the Agency resource order mission
number.
Upon notification of mobilization and establishing contact with
the incident emergency communications resource manager, obtain the following
information. Each location/site must be
considered individually and as a whole.
The answer to all of these questions will not be available
initially. Inform all responding mutual
aid organizations of the following as well.
1. What is the requesting
agencies resource order mission number?
2. What agency(s) will
the Organization or personnel be working for or with? (Red Cross etc..)
3. What type of incident will the Organization be
responding to? (Flood, fire, hazardous spill, etc.)
4. How much time do
mutual aid resources have to respond?
5. How many locations or sites are there? (How
many and what type resources needed initially?)
6. What are the best (or
only) routes to these sites?
7. How long
(hours/days/weeks) will operations be required? (How many more resources?)
8. How many hours per day
at each location are required? (Shifts,
more resources?)
9. Where are the
operating locations? (Location names, addresses or map name and coordinates.)
A. What type of
terrain is involved for each location? (A Propagation consideration, hills,
valleys, is HF required?)
B. Relays/nodes may be
required. Even via mutual aid from
other organizations from outside.
Request through Agency. (More resources?)
10. Are there any
locations that require more than one radio or mode of operation such as HF,
VHF, UHF, voice, packet and AMTOR?
(More resources?)
11. Is there AC power
available?
12. Is there emergency
power available? (Generator or
battery?)
13. Will operator have to
furnish power and for how long? (Spare batteries, generator and fuel?)
14. What precedence will
traffic have?
15. What type of traffic
will the operator be responsible for? (Logistical, resource or health and
welfare)
16. What is the current
status of incident operations and the effects on resources? (Rate of use?)
17. Which assignments are
direct and which report to a staging area.
18. Is there an radio
operators staging area and where?
* AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES, AUXILIARY RADIO
SERVICES AND
H&W TRAFFIC
Generally RACES organizations will not handle H&W
traffic. This is best left up to ARES
who are the H&W experts. There will be times when an ARS organization will
be approached and asked to handle H&W traffic. Its recommended that the RACES Radio Officer provide information
to the requesting agency (Red Cross etc...) so that they may make the initial
contact with ARES. If the RACES Radio
Officer is authorized or the situation (limited or no telephone service etc...)
requires them to make the initial contact with ARES then insure the these steps
are followed.
1. After contacting the
ARES Section Manager (SM), Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC), District
Emergency Coordinator (DEC) or Emergency Coordinator (EC) they must first
inform you that they are just passing third party traffic for the requesting
agency and that they are not authorized to request activation of your
organization.
2. They will pass along
the "third party traffic" containing all of the necessary information
possible so that the requesting agency and ARES can get together and take care
of the H&W traffic.
Will be added at a latter
date.
PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE
FREQUENCIES
The primary and alternate frequencies will almost always remain the same. If there is a change everyone will be notified. The use of repeaters has been cleared with the owner(s)/controller(s) ahead of time. The ARES Coordinator or the alternate will reconfirm this immediately before use. Do not go to a frequency until told by the NCS.
VHF frequencies.
Voice, Repeater:
1. Primary: 146.655
‑
* 2. Secondary: 146.730
‑
Simplex:
1. Primary: 146.460
2. Secondary: 146.550
3. Alternates: As Required
HF frequencies.
Voice, Daytime: :
1. Primary:
3.960
2. Alternates: As Required
Nighttime:
1. Primary:
3.963
2. Alternates: As Required
The actual situation and location of stations will determine just
what frequency is required.
* Frequencies not currently
agreed upon.
Packet Frequencies:
The packet radio channels
used in Kentucky are established by convention and never used for any emission
mode other than packet; thus they are not included in this plan.
Frequency Coordination:
All frequencies proposed in
city or county RACES plans will be coordinated and approved by the appropriate
State DES Region prior to the approval of any ARES communications plans.
The amateurs who live in the area of an incident are generally very
busy trying to help themselves and their families in coping with the effects of
an incident, especially if it is major. After the first day or two the
incident, the agency/organization will need help.
The city (local) emergency agency will go outside their
jurisdiction to the county (operational area) and request mutual aid. If the county cannot meet the mutual aid
requirements, the county will go to adjacent counties for either urgent or
planned needs (resources). If requirements exceed the resources available from
the adjacent counties then they can go to the Section for assistance.
The section will go to all operational areas within that section
for that assistance. The region may
also go to the other sections, for that assistance if required.
Resource order/incident numbers may be issued to responders. The agency responsible for incident
operations will have a resource order/incident number. This MAY help get them past roadblocks. However, without a resource order they
probably will be turned back from that roadblock.
There will be times when an operator will wish to operate outside
their organizations jurisdiction without an official request for agency mutual
aid or a resource order from the outside.
They may want to volunteer to assist another organization in another
jurisdiction who has made a public request (on the radio via a resource
net).
The supplying agency, organization and volunteer must be aware of
the whole situation. The volunteer must
check with their agency representative and organizational officer for an
official OK. The volunteers primary
responsibility is to his own organization.
Both the agency
representative and the organizational officer must be aware that some of their
personnel services may not be available to them for a period of time. Also the volunteer should leave information
on how they can be reached just in case they have to be recalled to their own
jurisdiction in a hurry. Also, the gaining agencies workmen's compensation
insurance will not cover these personnel UNTIL they are at the incident area
and check in with the that organization. If mutual aid is required to maintain
adequate resource levels for important radio operations, then it is important
to furnish the out of jurisdiction operators with local guidelines. If any of these positions are packet post,
then have their personnel provide our operators with the required blank message
formats in ASCII for storage on disk.
Voice operators will need the same thing in hard copy.
As an incident (or exercise) winds down, so will the current
operational responsibilities. This
transition must be as smooth as possible as to not interrupt or interfere with
the operations.
Begin at least one but not more than two shifts before you are to
be released. Set up the last and
possibly an "emergency back‑up" shift (things can go down hill
again) to be available on a stand‑by basis. Get this information disseminated as far as fast possible as
possible. Use the telephone first, and
then radio voice or packet to accomplish this.
Try and use our own personnel for the last "mop‑up"
shifts so that you can release assisting or mutual aid personnel first.
1. Contact standby resources and let them stand down.
2. Consolidate nets (if required) as the traffic load diminishes and
return repeaters and nodes back to normal operation.
3. Don't forget to thank everyone connected to the operation and insure
that all personnel get a chance to provide a critique. Use the Personnel
Demobilization Critique Sheet from the index.
4. Shortly after the incident a debriefing for all personnel will be
held. All personnel participating in
the incident will critique the whole operation. Include inputs from the Demob Critique Sheets and assisted
organizations.
Note: Any findings should be
published for other organizations to use for training purposes.
1. Were you given the
correct resource orders/mission/incident number(s)?
2. Were you told how much
time you would have to respond?
3. Were you told which
Agency you would be working for?
4. Were you informed of
the incident type?
5. Were you told which
location or site to respond to?
6. Were you given
accurate directions your assignment?
7. Were you told the
correct location of your assignment?
8. Were you told how much
of your time would be required?
9. Where you told what
time your shift began?
10.Were you told how long you shift length was?
11. Were you informed as to what equipment was required for your
assignment?
12. Were you informed as to the type of terrain involved for your
assignment? (Propagation considerations,
hills, valleys, higher power, high gain and/or directional antennas etc.)
13. Were you informed
that your site required more than one radio or mode of operation such as HF,
VHF, UHF, voice and packet so that you could prepare for possible interference?
14. Were you informed of
the type of power (AC or DC) available?
15. Were you informed
that you would have to furnish or to be prepared with some type of emergency or
back‑up power and for how long?
16. Were you provided with
the proper message formats?
17. Were you informed of
the precedences of traffic to be handled?
18. Were you informed of
the type of traffic you would be handling?
19. Were you informed of
the net operating procedures you would be following.
20. Were you kept
informed as to the status of overall incident operations?
Before continuing, a reminder of safety for
all personnel. Operations in locations other the home shack doesn't mean safety
should be left at home. Operating electronic
equipment under difficult conditions requires an extra effort be made to follow
safety procedures.
Portable Generators ‑ Grounding at the generator is a
must. The earth may not always cooperate.
The station may be located on a almost solid rock surface. Do the best you can. Even if the ground rod only penetrates a few
inches use it anyway. Try many all tied
together in series.
Battery Operation ‑
it only takes a few milivolts and micro amps to kill an individual. Don't be fooled by low voltage
batteries. Careful with open flames and
sparks within a couple of feet of a charging lead/acid battery. Gasses given off from the battery in this
condition are explosive. Be very
careful of acid spills.
Antennas ‑
Lightning is often present when providing communications during floods and
forest fires. Each antenna mast must be
grounded at its base. Use the same
grounding techniques as used at the generator.
Station Equipment ‑ Use the same techniques here as
used on generators and antennas. Always
minimize the electrical shock hazard.
Vehicle Operation ‑ Cars, boats, planes etc.. all
have a set of safe operation practices that are required by law. Obey these laws and use common sense. If an operator can't get to their assigned
station on time, then "better late than never" is a good excuse. An operator for each of these vehicle types
knows the safe operating procedures.
Use them.
Foot and Horseback Operation ‑ Walking, especially
long distances (backpacking?) requires the proper footwear. Be prepared for foul weather wet and/or
cold. Horseback riding requires
experience. Here again an operator is
exposed to the elements and should be prepared.
Lifting ‑ in all phases of setting up and operating
a station a certain amount of lifting will be required. Generators and large antenna mast are
probably the heaviest. Lift
properly. Use the legs and keep the
back straight. Get some others to
help. Don't do it all yourself.
Equipment and Clothing ‑ the proper equipment and
clothing are a must. Hardhat, gloves
electrical safety boots, climbing harness/belts and ropes, rain gear, warm/cool
weather clothing,
tools and first aid kit are a minimum of requirements. Be prepared.
First Aid and CPR training
‑ all members of an organization involved in providing emergency care
should be trained.
An operator who is carelessly injured is a
wasted resource.
Provide training from experts
for organizational members. Members, be
there when the training is provided.
NET
OPERATION AND TRAFFIC HANDLING PROCEDURES
VOICE
OPERATIONS
Voice operations are the primary mode used in emergency
communications. It is the most
efficient way to handle the basic short messages used in all types of nets. Voice is also the best way to manage packet
nets. There are many ways to enhance
voice operations and improve both the accuracy and efficiency.
A directed, formal net is the most efficient and accurate method
for managing any type of traffic net.
The Net Control Station (NCS) will manage the traffic flow and all other
types of contacts on the net. Formal
operations include the use of the phonetic alphabet, the correct pronunciation
of figures, use of procedure words and correct priority of traffic.
Knowledge of the phonetic alphabet and proper pronunciation of
figures (numbers) will help during poor conditions and spelling unusual words
(medical terms etc.) and with addresses or map coordinates. Understanding the use of procedure words
(prowords) will also help improve the quality of traffic handling by helping
provide a clear understanding of what is being said.
Call signs are needed to be able to tell who is who. Tactical call signs are basically used in
emergency communications to do just that.
As hams we are required to give our amateur call signs at the end of
every contact. This means that four
call signs will be given during each contact.
Don't over do it. Too many call
signs will just prolong the contact and probably waste valuable airtime on a
busy net.
When a station need to contact another station in order to pass a
piece of traffic, first he must contact the NCS and ask permission to do
so. At this time the NCS will list the
traffic with its priority in the proper place in line (first come, first
served, if there is a line of traffic waiting with equal priority). When it is your turn the NCS will give you
permission to call your station.
Once contact has been made then the initiating station can pass
their traffic when the receiving station says they're ready. Dont rush things. This can be difficult during the excitement of participating in
an emergency situation but experience on exercises and during incidents will help
to control this. Use the proper message
format. Using the following steps will
help.
1. Enunciate each word clearly and slowly. Don't drag it out but, again, don't rush
it.
2. Send a cluster of only two to four words, or a convenient
short phrase, at a time and pause a few seconds before the next cluster, or
phrase, is passed.
3. For long pieces of traffic, break about every 15 to 25 groups
and allow the receiving operator to catch up and ask for fills (repeat
groups).
4. On unusual or difficult
words, spell them, phonetically.
(Example: "difficult, I spell, Delta India Foxtrot Foxtrot
India Charlie Uniform Lima ‑Tango, difficult.)
5. With initials, like IRS, spell them phonetically. (Example: "initials, India‑Romeo‑Sierra.)
6. With figure groups give each figure individually. (Example: thirteen would be given as
"figures, wun‑tharee.)
Once the message has been sent, give the receiving operator a
chance to ask for any fills that they may require. For long pieces of traffic (25 or more groups) the sender may
want to include a group or check count.
This way the receiver can just count the groups to check for any missed
groups. Once the receiving station
confirms receiving the traffic, that station assumes responsibility for
delivering it.
The following information will provide operators with more
specific details needed to be excellent traffic handlers.
There are basically six types of network (net) operations that
are used within ARES Communications.
There is the Weekly (check‑in) Net used pass on information or to
provide some training. The Training Net
is used for just that, training, and any type of exercise. There is the Service Net on which the
management of incident communications operation(s) takes place. There is the Welfare Net on which health and
welfare traffic is handled. The
Logistics/Resource (L/R) Net is where the logistics communications for an
incident takes place and the Tactical Net is where actual incident tactical traffic
is handled. These nets can be combined
in any fashion if the traffic pressure is not too great. Just ensure that the precedences are used
correctly.
1. A Weekly Net can be
used to disseminate ARES information for the use of the members. Net Control Stations (NCS) can be set on a schedule,
lets say monthly, and the next month's NCS can be this month's alternate. Run the check‑in in a directed, formal
manner. (Good training.) The NCS can also be responsible for any
training. (The teacher always learns
more than the student.) The net may be
opened for informal traffic for a few minutes so that ARES personnel can get
together (if they want) and chat in an informal atmosphere. In some cases this may be the only way
personnel can get to know each other better, and therefore become a better
team. (Common modes: voice and packet.)
2. Training Nets can
occur at any time. During the Weekly
Net or during any period designated for an exercise. Service, Welfare, L/R and Tactical traffic (explained below)
should be exercised at this time.
Actually any type of training that the NCS, EC or Training Officer can
think up is appropriate. Practice
formal net activities ( prowords, etc.), use of maps or any equipment. Traffic handling, including precedences,
should be a must. Standard net times do
not have to be used, however,
the time selected should
allow for maximum participation.
Remember, the text of all exercise messages both voice and packet should
contain a line, both before and after, which contain the word
"DRILL". (Common modes: voice
and packet.)
3. The Service Net
(sometimes referred to as the "Resource Net" and therefore not to be
confused with the Logistic/Resource Net) is generally not very formal, however,
it is still a directed net. All
stations must go through NCS in order to participate. Amateur call signs and operators names are used. The Service Net is the management net for
other nets used in an incident. This is
the place all operators go to get their assignments and other instructions from
the EC. Volunteers are directed to this
net to find out what is going on and what to do. Shifts, schedules, equipment requirements and directions to
operating locations are given out on this net.
Some land‑line coordination is also used. Generally all traffic conducted on this net
has a routine precedence. Higher
precedence may come into play under unusual conditions, but this is rare. (Common mode: voice.)
4. The Welfare Net is a
directed, formal net. Usually this is
the majority of traffic that ARES will handle.
Incident traffic is always number 1.
Precedence for welfare traffic can be welfare through EMERGENCY.
Evacuees, victims and even some incident workers are whom this traffic is used
for. Food, shelter, clothing, welfare of individuals and incident information
for evacuees and victims is the traffic content. (Common modes: voice and
packet.)
5. The Logistics/Resource
(L/R) Net (Often referred to as the Log Net.)
This is a directed and formal net.
Incident personnel, food, quarters, vehicles, equipment and supply
information are the meat of the traffic.
Traffic can be taken off of the land‑line direct or via auto‑patch
or phone patch. Most will be passed on
in writing. The precedence will be routine through EMERGENCY with most being
priority. (Common modes: voice and
packet)
6. The Tactical Net is
always handled in a directed, formal manner.
The NCS has complete control of all of the net operations. (Very important.) Operators names are
rarely used and tactical call signs are almost always used. All traffic is handled using specific
procedures ( prowords, etc.). Only
traffic related to the specific incident is handled on the net. Even the ARES Coordinator has to gain the
permission of Net Control in order to perform official ARES business on the
net. There is no chit‑chatting on
the net. Most of the traffic is third
party, mostly written but some verbal.
(Including auto‑patch or phone patching.) The precedence of the traffic will vary from
routine through EMERGENCY. Most will be
priority and some welfare (given time).
(Common mode: voice.)
There are always exceptions to every rule and the above
guidelines are not cast in concrete.
There is always a better way to do something and the nets mentioned
above can be molded to fit whatever the incident requires. However, they must always be well managed
and organized or they will not provide the public with the service they require
at the time.
ALL OPERATORS SHOULD GET THEIR TRAFFIC FROM INCIDENT PERSONNEL
IN
WRITING.
Operators and their equipment
represent a communications medium. We
pass on traffic exactly as given to us.
If there is a question, ask for clarification before sending traffic. When you understand or are told to send as
is, do it. Then get ready for more.
One of the most difficult operating procedures for most amateurs
to follow is that of participating in a contact during emergency communication
operations. Most are used to very
informal conversations. Call signs are
over‑used and unless someone specifically signs off it is sometimes hard
to tell if the conversation is over.
Both excessive use of call signs and the
sloppy ""sign off''
can not be tolerated on a relatively busy emergency net. Too much time is wasted and some confusion
occurs. The best rule is:
The station that initiates a contact will also terminate that
contact.
The following example, using tactical call signs, is the
preferred way to conduct a contact during emergencies.
Example:
ROCKY CANYON: NET CONTROL THIS IS ROCKY CANYON. OVER.
NET CONTROL: THIS IS
NET CONTROL. Go ahead ROCKY
CANYON.
OVER.
ROCKY CANYON: I have traffic for FIRE CAMP. OVER.
NET CONTROL: Call
your station. OVER.
ROCKY CANYON: ROGER.
KD4??? OUT.
NET CONTROL: N4!!!
OUT.
ROCKY CANYON: FIRE CAMP.
THIS IS ROCKY CANYON. OVER.
FIRE CAMP: THIS IS
FIRE BASE. OVER.
ROCKY CANYON: I have traffic for the Fire Information
Officer.
OVER.
FIRE CAMP: Send
your traffic. OVER.
ROCKY CANYON: ROGER, traffic follows.
BREAK.
Thirty structures have been destroyed since
0900
July 12.
BREAK.
FIRE CAMP: ROGER
your traffic. OVER.
ROCKY CANYON: ROGER.
WA4??? OUT.
FIRE CAMP: K4???
OUT.
The proword "OVER" leaves no doubt as to whose turn it
is, and the proword "OUT" insures that everyone knows the contact has
ended.
Notice, the station who initiated the contact also terminated the
contact by signing OUT first. Everyone
participating knows that the contact is definitely over and the frequency is
clear for other traffic. Each station
used their tactical call sign only once at the beginning and their amateur
shall sign once at the end in each contact, yet there is no confusion as to who
is speaking or who they are speaking to.
See "NET OPERATION AND TRAFFIC HANDLING PROCEDURES". This is another good thing to practice as
often as possible. A good time to do
this is during the formal session of the periodic training nets. See the TRAINING MANUAL for more
information.
The following ARRL precedence for use in connection with verbal
or written message traffic. They are
designed to increase efficiency both in normal times and especially during
emergencies.
1. EMERGENCY ‑ Any message having life or death urgency to any person or group of persons, which is transmitted by Amateur Radio in the absence of regular commercial facilities. This includes official messages of welfare agencies during emergencies requesting supplies, materials or instructions vital to relief of stricken populace in emergency areas. On PACKET/AMTOR/CW/RTTY this designation will always be spelled out.
2. PRIORITY ‑ Use
abbreviation on P on PACKET/AMTOR/CW/RTTY.
This classification is for important message having a specific time
limit and official messages not covered in the emergency category and press
dispatches and emergency related traffic not of the utmost urgency and notice
of death or injury in a disaster area, personal or official.
3. WELFARE ‑ This classification, abbreviated W
on PACKET/AMTOR/CW/RTTY, refers to either an inquiry as to the health and
welfare of an individual in the disaster area or the reply to such an inquiry
that indicates all is well. Welfare
traffic is cleared/handled only after all emergency and priority traffic has
been cleared. The Red Cross equivalent
to an incoming welfare message is DWI (Disaster Welfare Inquiry).
4. ROUTINE ‑ Most traffic in normal times will
bear this designation. In disaster
situations, traffic labeled Routine (R on PACKET/AMTOR/CW/RTTY) should be
handled last or not at all when circuits are busy with higher priority
traffic. Most traffic handled on
amateur circuits in normal times will fall into this category.
TACTICAL CALL SIGNS
Tactical call signs are often used to identify a station instead
of the regular amateur call sign. When an operating location is set up it will
probably be there for several days.
Generally there would be two or three operators each day. Obviously this would be too many call signs
to try to remember. This is where a
tactical call sign proves to be an asset.
The call sign is usually assigned according to location (FIRE BASE), or
the duties (NET CONTROL). Sometimes
unit numbers (UNIT 3) are used.
They are assigned by the
agency you are currently working for, the ARES Coordinator, or Net Control in
that order. Operators do not make them
up or assign them. If there is a
suggestion then request the call sign or the change through Net Control, the
ARES Emergency Coordinator or agency in that order. The change should only be one that would help improve
operations. Use the tactical call signs
at the beginning of the contact.
Tactical call signs should be used during exercises. This will familiarize all operators with
their use.
The amateur call signs of the operators currently on the air
should be announced once at the end of every contact (a series of exchanged
transmissions between two or more stations) and at least once every 10 minutes
during prolonged contacts as per FCC regulations. Perhaps during "quiet times" the Net Control can
perform a "roll call, radio check" every 10 minutes.
Example:
EOC: NET CONTROL, THIS IS EOC.
OVER.
NCS: THIS IS NET CONTROL.
OVER.
EOC: I have traffic for UNIT 3.
OVER.
NCS: Call your station.
OVER.
EOC: ROGER. K4???.
OUT.
NCS: N4!!!.
OUT.
The most important thing to remember about tactical call signs is
that they help keep the traffic flow both fast and accurate.
Tactical call signs during packet operations would provide the
same benefits as in voice. However,
this is sometimes difficult as the terminal node controllers (TNCs) don't provide
enough space in the MYCall, or MYALIAS, or MYPBS calls. Abbreviations may be called for.
Aerial Torch ‑ An ignition device suspended under a
helicopter capable of dispensing ignited fuel to the ground for assistance in
burnout or backfiring.
Agency Representative ‑ Individual assigned to an
incident from an assisting or cooperating agency who has been delegated full
authority to make decisions on all matters affecting that agencies
participation at the incident. Reports
to the Incident Liaison Officer.
Air Tanker ‑ Any fixed wing aircraft certified by the FAA
as being capable of transport and delivery of fire retardant solutions.
Allocated Resources ‑ Resources dispatched to an incident
that has not yet checked‑in with the Incident Communications Center.
Assigned Resources ‑ Resources checked‑in and
assigned work task on an incident.
Assisting Agency ‑ An agency directly contributing
suppression, rescue, support, or service resources to another agency.
Available Resources ‑ Resources assigned to an incident
and available for an assignment.
Base ‑ The location where the primary logistics functions
are coordinated and administered. The
Incident Command Post may be collocated with the base. There is only one base per incident.
Branch ‑ The organizational level having the
functional/geographical responsibility for major segments of incident
operations. Organizationally between
Section and Division/Group.
Brush Patrol Unit ‑ Any light mobile unit, having limited
pumping and water capacity for off‑road operations.
Camp ‑ A geographical site, within the general incident
area, separate from the Base, equipped and staffed to provide food, water, and
sanitary services to incident personnel.
Check‑in ‑ Locations where assigned resources check‑in
at an incident. The locations are:
Incident Command Post (Resources Unit), Incident Base, Camps,
Staging Areas, Helibases and Division
Supervisors (for direct line assignments)
Clear Text ‑ The use of plain English in radio
communications transmissions. (The text
of a message.) No Ten Codes, or agency
specific codes are used when using clear text.
(And for amateur radio operators it is recommended that no Q Signals, or
CW abbreviations be used.)
Command ‑ The act of directing, ordering and/or
controlling resources by virtue of explicit legal, agency, or delegated
authority.
Command Staff ‑ The Command Staff consist of the: Information Officer, Safety Officer and
Liaison Officer who report to the Incident Commander.
Comm. Unit ‑ (Communications Unit) A vehicle (trailer or
mobile van) used to provide the major part of an Incident Communications
Center.
Company ‑ Any piece of equipment having a full compliment
of personnel.
Cooperating Agency ‑ An agency supplying assistance other
than direct suppression, rescue, support or service functions to the incident
control effort (e.g. Red Cross, a law enforcement agency, telephone company,
etc...).
Coordination ‑ The process of systematically analyzing a
situation, developing relevant information, and informing appropriate command
authority (for its decision) of viable alternatives for selection of the most
effective combination of available resources to meet specific objectives.
Crew Transport ‑ Any vehicle capable of transporting
personnel in specified numbers.
Dispatch ‑ The implementation of a command decision to
move a resource or resources from one place to another
Dispatch Center ‑ A facility from which resources are
directly assigned to an incident.
Division ‑ That organization level having responsibility
for operations within a defined geographical area or with functional
responsibility. The level just below a
branch.
Dozer Company ‑ Any dozer with a minimum complement of
two persons.
Engine ‑ Any ground vehicle providing specified levels of
pumping, water and hose capacity but with less than the specified level of
personnel.
Engine Company ‑ Any ground vehicle providing specified
levels of pumping, water, hose capacity and personnel.
FIREMOD ‑ A computer program which, with given
information, will predict an hourly rate of spread from a point.
Fly crew ‑ A hand crew of predetermined size transported
to an incident via helicopter.
Food Dispenser ‑ Any vehicle capable of dispensing food
to incident personnel.
Fuel Tender ‑ Any vehicle capable of supplying fuel to
ground or airborne equipment.
General Staff ‑ The group of incident management
personnel comprised of the:
Incident Commander,
Operations Chief,
Planning Chief,
Logistics Chief and
Finance Chief
Group ‑ A functional Division (e.g. Air Support, Salvage
Structure Protections, etc.).
Hand Crew ‑ Predetermined individuals that are
supervised, organized, and trained principally for clearing brush as a fire
suppression measure.
Heavy Equipment Transport ‑ Any ground vehicle capable of
transporting a dozer.
Helibase ‑ A location within the general incident area
for parking, fueling, maintaining and loading helicopters.
Helicopter Tender ‑ A ground vehicle capable of supplying
fuel and support equipment to helicopters.
Helispot ‑ A location where a helicopter can take off and
land.
Helitack ‑ The initial attack phase of fire suppression
using helicopters and trained airborne teams to achieve immediate control of
wind fires.
Helitack Crew ‑ A crew of three or more individuals who
may be assigned to operations or to support helicopter operations.
Helitack Foreman ‑ A firefighter Trained in the Tactical
and logistical use of helicopters for fire suppression.
Helitanker ‑ A helicopter equipped with a fixed tank or
suspended bucket type container that is used for aerial delivery of water or
retardants.
Incident ‑ An occurrence or event, either human‑caused
or natural phenomena, that requires action by emergency service personnel to
prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property
or natural resources.
Incident Action Plan ‑
The plan, which is initially prepared at the first meeting, contains general
control objectives reflecting the overall incident strategy, and specific
action plans for the next operational period.
Incident Base ‑ That location at which the primary
logistics functions are coordinated and administered. (Incident name or other designator will be added to the term
"Base".) The Incident
Command Post may be
collocated with the Base. There is only
one Base per incident.
Incident Commander ‑ The individual responsible for the
management of all incident operations.
Incident Command Post (ICP) ‑ The location at which the
primary command functions are executed and usually collocated with the incident
base.
Incident Command System (ICS) ‑ The combination of
facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating
within a common organizational structure with responsibility for the management
of assigned resources to effectively accomplish stated objectives pertaining to
the incident.
Infrared (IR) ‑ A heat detection system used for fire
detection, mapping, and hot spot detection.
IR Groundlink ‑ A capability through the use of a special
mobile ground station to receive air to ground infrared imagery for
interpretation.
Initial Attack ‑ Resources initially committed to an
incident.
Jurisdictional Agency ‑ The agency having jurisdiction
and responsibility for a specific geographical area.
Management By Objective (MBO) ‑ Top down management so
that all involved know and understand the objectives of the operation.
Message Center ‑ The Message Center is part of the
Communications Center and is collocated or placed adjacent to it. It receives, records, and routes information
about resources reporting to the incident, resource status and administration
and tactical traffic.
Mobilization Center ‑ An off incident location at which
emergency service personnel and equipment are temporarily located pending
assignment, release or reassignment.
Multiagency Coordination System (MACS) ‑ The combination
of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications integrated
into a common system with responsibility for coordination an assisting agency
resources and support to agency emergency operations.
National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS) ‑
Consists of five major subsystems which collectively provide a total systems
approach to all‑risk incident management. The subsystems are: the Incident Command System, training,
qualifications and certification, support technologies and publications
management.
NOAA Weather Station ‑
A mobile weather data collection and forecasting facility (including personnel)
provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which can be
utilized within the incident area.
Operational Period ‑ The period of time scheduled for
execution of a given set of operation actions as specified in the Incident
Action Plan.
Operations Coordination Center (OCC) ‑ The primary
facility of Multiagency Coordination System.
It houses the staff and equipment necessary to perform the MACS
functions.
Orthophoto Maps ‑ Aerial photographs corrected to scale such
that geographic measurements may be taken directly from the prints.
Out‑of‑service Resources ‑ Resources assigned
to an incident but unable to respond for mechanical, rest, or personnel
reasons.
Overhead Personnel ‑ Personnel who are assigned to
supervisory positions which includes the Incident Commander, Command Staff,
General Staff, Directors, Supervisors and Unit
Leaders.
Patrol Unit ‑ Any light, mobile unit having limited
pumping and water capacity.
Planning Meeting ‑ A meeting held as needed throughout
the duration of an incident, to select specific strategies and tactics for
incident control operations and for service and support planning.
Radio Cache ‑ A cache may consist of a number of portable
radios, a base station and in some cases a repeater stored in a predetermined
location for dispatch to incidents.
Reinforced Attack ‑ Those resources requested in addition
to the initial attack.
Reporting Locations ‑ Any one of five
facilities/locations where incident assigned resources may check‑in. The locations are the:
Incident Command Post
Resources Unit
Base
Camp
Staging Area
Rescue Medical ‑ Any manned ground vehicle capable of
providing emergency medical services.
Resources ‑ All personnel and major items of equipment
available, or potentially available, for assignment to incident task on which
status is maintained.
RESTAT ‑ An acronym for Resource Unit ‑ a unit
within the Planning Section.
Section ‑ That organization level having functional
responsibility to primary segments of incident operations such as; Operations,
Planning, Logistics, Finance
The Section level is organizationally between the Branch and the
Incident Commander.
Span‑of‑Control ‑ The supervisory ratio of
from three to seven individuals with five being established as the general rule
of thumb.
Staging Area ‑ Specified location where incident
personnel and equipment are assigned on a three (3) minute available status.
Strike Team ‑ Specified combinations of the same kind and
type of resources, with common communications and a leader.
Task Force ‑ A group of resources with common
communications and a leader temporarily assembled for a specific mission.
Technical Specialist ‑ Personnel with special skills who
are activated only when needed.
Technical specialist may be needed
in the areas of fire
behavior, water resources, environmental concerns, resource use and training
areas.
Tractor Plow ‑ Any tracked vehicle with a plow for
exposing mineral soil, with transportation and personnel for its operation.
Unified Command ‑ A method for all agencies or individuals
who have jurisdictional responsibility, and in some cases, those who have
functional responsibility at the incident, to contribute to determining overall
objectives for the incident, Selection of the strategy to achieve the
objectives.
Unit ‑ That organization element having functional
responsibility for a specific incident planning, logistic, or finance activity.
Water Tender ‑ Any ground vehicle capable of transporting
specified quantities of water.
PROWORDS; THE KEY TO ACCURATE, EFFICIENT COMMUNICATIONS
The use of procedure words (prowords) is a most important part of
traffic handling. They are the
frameworks around which traffic net can provide a very high volume of traffic
in minimum time with minimum errors. In
a way they provide the same effect that the phonetic alphabet provides in that
they are always the same (OVER is always OVER, like Alpha is always
Alpha). In this way an operator always
knows what is being said, even in very poor conditions.
Poor conditions will always be with us. Todays VHF/UHF microprocessor controlled FM repeaters are now
bleep‑blooping the end of every transmission. So, why say OVER? When
rag chewing, don't. It's not
necessary. (Most of the time.) However, when handling traffic, especially
during an emergency, it's a very good idea.
Sometimes when conditions are poor, it is necessary. National Traffic System (NTS) operators use
prowords/prosigns on just routine
traffic. ARES operators need to have a working
knowledge of these prowords for use in emergency communications.
These organizations have members who are also MARS and CAP
members. Under extreme conditions, all
could be working on the same emergency.
MARS and CAP use these prowords in all of their communications. Interaction is being encouraged more and
more. (Field Day and the Simulated
Emergency Test exercises.) It seems
that all of us should speak the same "radio language".
The following lists of prowords with definitions are not much
trouble to learn. In fact, if they are
used in a formal weekly check‑in net and any exercises they will become
almost automatic.
A ARES emergency communications operation may be the only line of
communication available. It has
happened before and it will happen again.
Property and even lives along with the welfare of many others will be at
stake. A working knowledge of these
procedures is one of the best ways to insure that the word does get
through. Both accurately and
efficiently.
Procedure words and signs (prowords) help speed communications as
well as help insure accuracy of messages.
They are often able to express complex phrases or instructions in a word
or two. They are distinctive sounding
and their meaning is clear. This is
helpful, especially under marginal and poor condition. They are only effective, however, if
everyone understands them and uses them correctly.
Below are the definitions of the prowords most commonly
used. For definitions of prosigns cross
reference from "RECOMMENDED PROWORDS AND THEIR SOURCES.
RECOMMENDED PROWORD
DEFINITION
OVER: This is the end of my transmission to you and response is necessary.
OUT: This is the end of my
transmission to you and no answer is required or expected.
ROGER: I have received and
understood your last transmission. It
does not mean, "yes" or signify agreement.
AFFIRMATIVE: Yes.
NEGATIVE: No.
CLOSE: I am closing my station.
WAIT: I must pause for a few seconds.
ALL BEFORE: The portion of the message to which referenced
is all that which proceeds (use next known word here).
ALL AFTER: The portion of the message to which
referenced is all that which follows (use last known word here).
BREAK: I am indicating the separation of the text
from the other parts of the message.
RELAY: Transmit this traffic
to or for other stations. Use CALL
SIGN(s).
SAY AGAIN Repeat all or
portion indicated of last message.
CALL SIGN: The word group that follows is a CALL SIGN.
UNKNOWN STATION: Call sign/identity of a station is unknown.
MAYDAY: International distress call in emergencies.
DRILL: Word used to indicate
that the text of a message is not real and is for exercise purposes only.
TO: ADDRESS GROUP" or
"CALL SIGN" to whom the message is going.
FROM: "ADDRESS
GROUP" or "CALL SIGN" of message originator.
GROUPS: The number of words,
"INITIAL" and "FIGURE" groups within the "TEXT"
of a message. In exercises include the
proword DRILL or TEST as part of the "TEXT".
TEXT: The body of a message. Includes DRILL or
TEST in the lines before and after actual TEXT in exercises.
ADDRESS GROUP: Group
containing the "TO" and/or "FROM" address, or "CALL
SIGN(s)".
CORRECTION: I have made an
error, transmission will continue from the last correct word.
CORRECT: You are correct.
THIS IS: This transmission is
from (your "CALL SIGN").
MORE TO FOLLOW: There is more traffic following this
message.
EMERGENCY: Message precedence is (highest) EMERGENCY.
PRIORITY: Message precedence is (2nd highest) PRIORITY.
WELFARE: Message precedence is (3rd highest) WELFARE.
ROUTINE: Message precedence
is (lowest) ROUTINE.
I SPELL: I will spell the
next word phonetically.
FIGURES: The next word group
is, or begins with, numbers.
INITIALS: The next word group
is, or begins with, letters.
WRONG: Your last transmission
is not correct.
DIRECT: A station is copied directly, no RELAY is
required.
LETTER THE TEXT: There is a word or words missing. Repeat the first letter or number of each
word or group
phonetically.
WORDS TWICE: Transmit each phrase or word twice
There is no such thing as the term "common spelling" in
ARES work. If there is a proper name to
be transmitted, always spell it out using the International Phonetic
Alphabet. Do not improvise a phonetic
alphabet; if you don't know the International Phonetic Alphabet, now is a good
time to learn it and use it in your daily operations.
A Alpha F Fox‑trot K Kilo P
Papa U Uniform
B Bravo G Golf
L Lima Q Quebec V
Victor
C Charley H Hotel
M Mike R Romeo W
Whiskey
D Delta I India N November S
Sierra X X‑ray
E Echo J Juliet
O Oscar T Tango Y
Yankee Z Zulu
Many times radio conditions are poor and words must be over‑exaggerated
to be understandable. In general, speak
very slowly and distinctly to carry through static or weak signals. The following list provides pronunciation of
numbers in poor conditions:
One ‑ "Wun" Two
‑ "Too"
Three ‑ "Tharee"
Four "Fower" Five ‑ "Fiyuv" Six ‑ "Siks"
Seven ‑
"Sevven" Eight ‑ "Ate" Nine ‑ "Niner"
Zero ‑ "Zearow" (The number
"zero" is not to be pronounced as "oh".
This is an example of a written message format that an agency may
wish to use. The information these
types of messages contain is basically the same.
***** MESSAGE FORM *****
MSG#______________
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑(PLEASE
PRINT )‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑
: :
:
FROM:_____________________________AGENCY:___________________ :
: :
:
TO:_______________________________AGENCY:___________________ :
: :
:
MESSAGE:____________________________________________________ :
: :
:
____________________________________________________________ :
: :
:
____________________________________________________________ :
: :
: ____________________________________________________________ :
: :
:
____________________________________________________________ :
: :
:
SIGNED:_______________________DATE:___/____/____TIME:_______ :
:_______________________________________________________________:
********* MESSAGE CENTER USE ONLY BELOW THIS LINE *********
RECEIVED AT RADIO ROOM: _______________________________
OPERATOR COMMENTS:_____________________________________________
________________>________________ Date:____/____/____Time:______
(FROM CALL) (TO‑CALL)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
________________
BY:______________________
Often this is done verbally via third party. Nothing is written down. The basic written or verbal format is as
follows:
1. FROM
2. TO
3. TEXT
The format is as simple as possible without getting too
simple. All the information is there so
that an operator can go back and find the message for retransmission if
required.
Example:
Incident Commander
Fire Camp
(Actually written out)
There are two engine companies on the way. ETA 1345.
(Correct verbal procedure)
There are FIGURES Too engine companies on the way. INITIALS
Echo Tango Alpha FIGURES Wun Theree Fower Fiyve.
NOTE: If the word "X‑Ray"
is used for the period, it must be counted in the check count. (In this case CHECK 11.)
The shadow operator should be an organizations best. Shadow operations are mobile or portable and
generally conducted under more difficult conditions than other operations. There is no time to look up rules or
procedures as the operator is always on the move. The vast majority of the traffic will be verbal, not written.
The operator is usually assigned to shadow, or constantly stay
with, the Incident Commander or an Information Officer. These officials travel everywhere within the
affected area. Especially the
Information Officers and generally amateur radio is the only communications
they use. Often, in the performance of
their duties, they will approach potentially hazardous areas. They will not put the operator into a
dangerous situation. They are experts
in their fields and can be trusted to make the right decisions.
They almost always use official vehicles; often pickups and 4-wheel
drive, and therefore an operators equipment must "plug into" that
vehicle. Generally a minimum of 25 watts on VHF/UHF FM will be required to
provide efficient mobile communications.
This means that handhelds will require an external amplifier. A magnetic mount antenna will also be
required.
Portable operations are even more difficult in that the power
radiated from a 5-watt handhelds six-inch antenna is greatly reduced as
compared to that of the mobile installation.
A 1/2 or 5/8 wavelength, telescoping gain type antenna is almost a
must. A way to keep the antenna away
from the attenuating effects of the operators body is also a good idea. There are "tactical suspenders with
handheld holsters and battery pouches", much like the police and the military
wear, available from military/police catalog sale outlets. This will place the
radio high on the chest where the antenna can clear the body and therefore
improve operation. Spare batteries are
a must. As a shadow an operator will be
in the field for up to 12 hours. A
battery pack that will take standard AA alkaline (or regular carbon) batteries
is extremely useful. Generally the
agency in charge of an incident will have these batteries in stock and
available to the shadow operator. A
speaker/mic with earphone or boom mic/earphone is also very useful in high
noise areas.
Another way to improve portable operations is to use a mobile
dual band full duplexing transceiver as a repeater in conjunction with a
handheld. (Also known as back‑to‑back
operation.) This will allow excellent
portable operation as long as the operator is within several hundreds yards of
the mobile repeater.
This is probably one of the most interesting operating positions
in amateur radio. Only well trained,
experienced and properly equipped operators should fill this position.
Now that each station in a network can get a solid connect with
each other it is time to pass some traffic.
The packet net and its voice management net should be formal
directed nets. When one station
connects with another the connecting station should disconnect.
Stations, which handle large amounts of traffic, should probably
have two packet stations in operation.
(Watch out for some interference between one and the other.) This type
of operation usually occurs at the command post or emergency operations
centers. Bulletin boards would be very
handy for this type of operation.
Outgoing traffic could be put on the bulletin board and then retrieved
by a receiving station as per NCS instructions. Incoming traffic could also be listed on a BBS and pulled off at
the NCSs instruction. In this way all
precedences are observed and traffic flows smoothly. One station could be set up to strictly monitor all net packet
traffic and the other would send and receive all CP/EOC traffic.
Standard message formats should be stored on disk and retrieved
when required. These should be shared
with operators providing mutual aid.
Occasionally there are administrative personnel who can provide
the text of a message via a disk in ASCII format. This way all that has to be added is the header and the entire
message is ready. Minimum (re)typing by
the operator saves lots of time.
In the actual message use only capital letters. This makes the traffic much easier to read,
especially when in a hurry. Use the
correct RTTY prosigns when connected with another station. This takes a lot less typing and therefore
saves time.
Copy every piece of traffic to a disk. Develop a filing system, which will allow you to retrieve a piece
of traffic at any time. Possibly the
sending stations tactical call sign and message number. This will save time if a retransmission is
required or a message gets lost.
Use the command for each TNC to the nets advantage. Setting up the TNC correctly can eliminate
some interference. (Check individual equipment
command requirements.) UNPROTO may also
be used (generally by NCS, CP or EOC stations) to send QSTs or bulletins
required by all stations in a net. Also
a general announcement about the incident (cleared with agency PIO) can be
transmitted via a BEACON. This can send
potential volunteers to the Service Net for more information.
Generally the type of equipment required for portable packet
operation will be the computer with at least one disk drive, a printer, a TNC
and the transceiver. Preferably all
would operate on 12VDC. A digital/voice switchbox would allow using the
transceiver on both packet and voice without changing cables. Of course two transceivers could be used.
This is one place a TEST message should be sent and received when
a packet station comes on line. This
would insure proper operation of all the equipment and procedures that makes up
the packet station operation.
Packet traffic net operation can be very time consuming. The best defense against excessive time
waste is knowledge of the TNC and the communications program. Using the right commands will insure traffic
gets through as soon as possible. Don't
forget, directed formal voice management of packet traffic is most efficient.
In some cases the CP/EOC will want to have access to all net
packet traffic. This is understandable
and necessary. However it is not as
simple as voice.
The MONitor command can be
used but if an operator is not careful all transmissions, not just the nets,
will be monitored. This would be
confusing.
Sending the traffic to both the CP/EOC and the station of
interest will require two separate connects.
Depositing the traffic in a bulletin board or mailbox will also require
two separate connects. This is very
time consuming.
Use the TNCs Command Manual to set up the TNC. There are about a dozen or so commands that
will enhance packet traffic net operation.
The type of station and the manufacturer of the TNC (Kantronics KAM ‑
AEA PK‑232 ‑ PAC‑COMM list them with suggested settings.
Try the TNC commands as recommended below. This will allow only those stations in the
net to contact each other. All other
packets from other stations will be ignored.
Again, follow the commands manual for TNC in use and exact definitions
for the specific commands. Also
additions or deletions may enhance the net operation.
ALL NET TRAFFIC PACKET STATIONS.
BUDCalls‑MFrom list‑LCALLS
‑ add calls to the list all net stations.
BUdlist‑MFrom list‑BUdlist
‑ set to "from‑all, yes, list‑on".
BText‑BText‑BText
‑ Used only by one station as required, see MBeacon‑Beacon‑MBeacon
below.
CMSg‑CMSg‑CMSg ‑
set to "off".
CONList‑CFrom calls‑n/a
‑ set to "on‑yes call‑ ".
CStamp‑CONStamp‑CONStamp
‑ set to "on or off" as required.
DAytime‑DAytime‑DAytime
‑ set to correct date/time (local or zulu as required by net).
DAYUsa‑n/a‑DAYUsa
‑ set to USA or Europe as required by net.
HEaderln‑HEAderln‑HEaderln
‑ set to "on".
HId‑HId‑HId ‑
set to "off".
Id‑Id‑Id ‑
Send immediately after disconnected, sending station first, receiving station
second. (See MYcall and MYALIAS.)
LCok‑CASedisp‑LCok
‑ set to "off‑2‑off". (Upper case for all traffic)
MAll‑n/a‑MAll ‑
set to "off".
MBeacon‑Beacon‑MBeacon
‑ set to "off" (except for one station, with excellent
coverage, using a "QST" type
text information. (See BText‑BText‑BText)
MCOM‑n/a‑MCOM ‑
set to "off".
MCon‑MCon‑MCON ‑
set to "off‑0‑off".
Monitor‑Monitor‑Monitor
‑ set to "off‑0‑off".
MResp‑n/a‑n/a ‑
set to "off".
MRPt‑MRpt‑MRpt ‑
set to "on or off" as required by local path conditions and whether
or not your station is required for use
as a digipeater.
MStamp‑MStamp‑MStamp
‑ set to "off".
MYcall‑MYcall‑MYcall
‑ enter the station tactical call sign.
MYAlias‑MYAlias‑MYAlias
‑ enter the operators amateur call sign.
Paclen‑PACLen‑Paclen
‑ set to maximum possible allowing for conditions and path.
CP/EOC MONITOR STATION. (This station is not used for traffic
handling. Only monitoring of other
specific stations traffic. Do not use
for incident information beacon.)
BUDCalls‑MFrom list‑LCALLS
‑ add calls to the list all net stations.
BUdlist‑MFrom list‑BUdlist
‑ set to "Both or on, yes, list‑on".
CONList‑CFrom calls‑n/a
‑ set to "off‑no‑n/a".
CStamp‑CONStamp‑CONStamp
‑ set to "off".
DAytime‑DAytime‑DAytime
‑ set to correct date/time (local or Zulu as required by net).
DAYUsa‑n/a‑DAYUsa
‑ set to USA or Europe as required by net.
HEaderln‑HEAderln‑HEaderln
‑ set to "on"
LCok‑CASedisp‑LCok
‑ set to "off‑2‑off". (Upper case for all traffic)
MAll‑n/a‑MAll ‑
set to "on".
MBeacon‑Beacon‑MBeacon
‑ set to "off"
MCOM‑n/a‑MCOM ‑
set to "off".
MCon‑MCon‑MCON ‑
set to "off‑0‑off".
Monitor‑Monitor‑Monitor
‑ set to "on‑2‑on".
MResp‑n/a‑n/a ‑
set to "off".
MRPt‑MRpt‑MRpt ‑
set to " off".
MStamp‑MStamp‑MStamp
‑ set to "on".
OPERATIONAL SIGNAL
PROPAGATION
Voice is the most popular mode of transmission for all types
(ROUTINE, PRIORITY, and EMERGENCY) traffic.
Interfacing to the telephone lines (phone patching) is possible.
Packet is the fastest and most accurate for HEALTH & WELFARE
traffic and especially ROUTINE and PRIORITY logistic traffic. It is computer based and very useful tool for
the communication business. It is
mentioned in more detail below.
All of these modes can be used on all amateur radio bands. Due to the propagation characteristics of
each of the amateur bands, each will favor certain size geographical areas.
In the last few years packet radio has become more and more
popular. It is an excellent mode of
transmission for very high volume, heavy traffic loads and provides 100% accuracy. As good as it is steps must be taken to
insure minimum wasted time during packet operations.
Voice, even though slower as far as traffic movement is
concerned, is still the fastest way to manage the actual flow of packet
traffic. This may be accomplished on
the same or different frequencies. This
all depends on the traffic load, band used and FCC allocations. Also, simple responses to received traffic
(yes or no etc...) or simple statements or questions (Do you want
relief ?) are best handled by
voice. It still takes less time for
most of us to speak than it does for us to type. This will save lots of time.
Make a big effort to do this.
Occasionally external forces that have a negative effect on packet and
will force the use of voice when it is least expected. Dense smoke from a
forest fire, heavy rain, heavy fog and multi‑path problems could render
packet unusable. Voice would probably
work, even though slower, under these conditions. The right equipment may overcome these problems.
An amplifier to increase output power, antennas mounted higher,
higher gain (directional?) antennas, a digipeater (portable?), different
antenna or station location (especially on VHF or UHF) or shorter packet
lengths (PACLEN) (especially on HF) "may" ensure a solid connect. Don't forget to insure the DWAIT is set correctly for digipeater
operation. Voice repeaters may also be
used for packet operation. In this case
the AXDELAY and AXHANG commands must be set correctly. Each voice repeater may be different so it
is a good idea to make arrangements to run some test. Once this information is had it can be made available to whoever
requires it. Don't forget those who are
providing mutual aid.
There are also several other ways to connect with the other
stations in the net besides directly.
First stations can connect via a NODE.
This is usually a TNC, which is capable of operating within a network
and provides automatic routing capabilities.
Next there is a GATEWAY station which provides communications between
different frequencies. Then there is a
BACKBONE which is run a higher baud rate and can provide an interconnect
between NODES and even GATEWAY stations.
Last is a TRUNK, which is similar to a BACKBONE but does not have direct
access by end users. These paths are
prearranged by the sysops and changes may have to be provided by them.
Each operator should know how to use the terminal mode of their
packet station. Some TNC/software
arrangements have a host mode. These
are often very different and if an operator has to use another's station, there
could be problems. There is no time for
extensive training. The terminal modes
of almost all TNC/software packages is very much the same.
AREA
COVERAGE VS. FREQUENCY
Local/county/regional, very high frequency (VHF) capability. Usually accomplished on the 2-meter (144
megahertz) amateur radio band. Can be
utilized in a simplex, point‑to‑point configuration or a half
duplex (repeater) configuration. (6
meter, 50 megahertz, 1‑1/4 meter, 220 megahertz VHF and 440-megahertz
ultra high frequency, UHF, can also be used.)
The primary use for VHF would be EMERGENCY and/or PRIORITY
traffic for or between state, county and local agencies who do not share a
common frequency, whose radio system does not cover the area of interest and whose
telephone systems are not working or are tied up with calls concerning their
specific areas of responsibility.
Example:
A single major forest fire is destroying a large portion of two
adjoining counties and is burning out of control. Several small towns and a major highway are in the fire's
path. The US
Forest Service, the Kentucky
Department of Forestry, both Counties, and two other units from neighboring
counties who are providing mutual aid, are providing the fire fighters. Both
County Offices of Emergency
Services, Red Cross, Sheriff Departments, the Highway Patrol and two major
medical facilities, are providing their specific types of support.
All of these services need to communicate with each other but
many do not have the common frequency required.)
Another good use for VHF communications would be providing health
and welfare (H&W) traffic for the evacuees from the towns that are
threatened by the fire. A separate network
could be set up to handle the ROUTINE and sometimes higher priority traffic
between the several shelters, OES, Red Cross and occasionally a medical
facility.
Can be used portable, transportable, mobile (land, water or air)
or as a base station.
County/regional/intrastate/interstate, high frequency (HF)
capability. Usually accomplished on the
40/80-meter (7/3.5 megahertz) amateur radio band for day/night
communications.
(Occasionally 160 meter, 1.8
megahertz, is excellent for night communications.) This is a good place to use near vertical incident sky wave
(NVIS) antennas. Primarily useful for
ROUTINE and HEALTH and WELFARE (H&W) traffic.
Example:
Sixty‑five fire fighters from southern California or
Oregon are assisting with a major forest fire in Western Kentucky. H&W traffic to and from home for these
personnel would provide a major boost to their morale.
These frequencies can be very useful in regional and countywide communications
for EMERGENCY and/or PRIORITY Logistical/Resource traffic to and from an area
where VHF line‑of‑sight limitations exclude VHF use and can cause a
breakdown in communications. Can be
operated as transportable, mobile (land, water or air) and as a base station.
INTERSTATE/INTERNATIONAL
Interstate/international, high frequency (HF) capability. Usually accomplished on the 20-meter (14
megahertz) amateur radio band. (Often
on 15/10 meters, 21/28 megahertz. There
are now 30/17/12 meters, 10/18/24 megahertz as well.)
Primarily useful for ROUTINE health and welfare (H&W)
traffic. (Example: One hundred fire fighters from Montana are
assisting with a major forest fire in Western Kentucky. H&W traffic to and from home for these
personnel would provide a major boost to their morale.)
On rare occasions (when emergency is of such a great magnitude
over a very large geographic area, and there is little or no telephone service
at all) these frequencies can be used for EMERGENCY and/or PRIORITY
Logistical/Resource traffic as well.
Can be operated as transportable, mobile (land, water or air) and
as a base station.
The diagrams in Appendix C demonstrate some of the configurations
that can be used to facilitate emergency communications in and for any
emergency communications situation under the conditions described above.
Remember that these examples do not indicate the fact that these
points of communication can be portable (handheld/ horseback, etc.), mobile
(car/truck/4wd/boat/aircraft), and as a base station (county building / private
resident/tent/ motorhome).
Any combination of the above is possible. Only our imagination
(and basic lack of funds)
limits the possibilities.
ARES
COMMUNICATIONS AND WELFARE TRAFFIC
There will be occasion for ARES personnel to handle health and
welfare traffic. Usually ARES or other
amateur organizations will handle this tremendous chore. Often there will be thousands of pieces of
traffic in just a few days time.
On some incidents, the tactical and resource traffic will slow
down considerably during the evening hours.
At this time with permission of the Incident Commander and/or the Radio
Officer welfare traffic may be handled.
The best way to do that is use the time proven methods of the
ARRL, ARES and NTS and use the ARRL Numbered Radiograms and the Amateur Message
format.
See Appendix A.
There will be occasions when your ability to patch your radio
into the telephone system will be required.
An agency official may want to pass information to a point where
the is no amateur radio communications.
Or you may want to pass emergency or priority information to an agency
which has no direct amateur radio communications.
The phone patch and/or autopatch is the way to go.
See Attachment B.
OPERATIONAL
CAPABILITIES
EMERGENCY
OPERATION CAPABILITIES
What are operators operational capabilities? How does that operator fit into the current
emergency communications picture? If
each RACES organization has each operator provide the following information a
complete picture will begin tom form.
CURRENT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES AT HOME
How well are you prepared to operate from home?
1. How many HF radios
can you operate?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. What modes can
you operate?
2. How many VHF/UHF
radios can you operate?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. What modes can
you operate?
c. Is/are the
radio(s) equipped with programmable PL?
3. Do you have phone
patch capability?
a. On which bands?
4. Do you have
emergency power available?
a. Generator(s)? How much time on existing fuel?
b. Battery(s)? How much time on existing charge?
5. How long can you and
your family survive on the existing food and water that is currently on hand?
6. What other
capabilities do you have from home?
a. Packet, AMTOR,
CW, RTTY, NVIS etc....
How well are you prepared to operate mobile? (Automobile, boat
aircraft etc...)
1. How many vehicles
(include type) can you operate from?
2. How many HF radios
can you operate? Per vehicle?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. What modes can
you operate?
3. How many VHF/UHF
radios can you operate? Per vehicle?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. What modes can
you operate?
c. Is/are the
radio(s) equipped with programmable PL?
4. Do you have
emergency power available?
a.
Generator(s)? How much time on
existing fuel?
(Usually motor homes.)
b. Battery(s)? How much time on existing charge?
5. How long can you
survive on the food and water that you can take with you?
6. What other
capabilities do you have mobile?
a. Packet, AMTOR,
CW, RTTY, ATV, NVIS etc.
7. How long would it take you to prepare your mobile station to
be operational?
CURRENT EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES AS A TRANSPORTABLE STATION
How well are you prepared to operate as a transportable station?
(Set up a station in a
command post, tent etc...)
1. What types of
operating locations are you equipped to operate from. (ie... motor home,
trailer, tent, another building etc.)
2. How many HF radios can you operate?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. What modes can
you operate?
3. How many handheld
VHF/UHF radios do you have?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. What modes can
you operate?
c. Is/are the
radio(s) equipped with programmable PL?
4. How many VHF/UHF
radios can you operate?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. What modes can
you operate?
c. Is/are the
radio(s) equipped with programmable PL?
5. Can you have phone
patch capability?
a. On which bands?
6. What can you set up
in the way of antennas and masts?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. Do you have any directional
beam/yagi antennas?
c. Can you set up
any dipole or vertical (gain, 3db ) antennas?
7. Do you have emergency
power available?
a.
Generator(s)? How much time on
existing fuel?
b. Battery(s)? How much time on existing charge?
c. Solar
power? How much time to charge
batteries and how much current available?
8. How long can you
survive on the food and water that you can take with you?
9. What other capabilities do you have as a transportable
station?
a. Packet, RTTY,
CW, NVIS, ATV etc.
10. Can you provide
your own living quarters?
CURRENT
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES AS PORTABLE
How well are you prepared to operate under portable
conditions? (Operating while acting as
a "shadow", backpacking, horseback etc.)
1. How many vehicles
(include type) can you operate from?
2. How many handheld HF
radios can you operate?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. What modes can you
operate?
3. How many handheld
VHF/UHF radios do you have?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. What modes can
you operate?
c. Is/are the
radio(s) equipped with programmable PL?
4. What can you set up in
the way of antennas?
a. What bands can
you operate?
b. Do you have hand
carried directional beam/yagi antenna?
5. Do you have backup
power available?
a. Battery(s)? How much time on existing charge?
6. How long can you
survive on the food and water that you can take with you?
7. What other
capabilities do you have as a portable?
a. Backpacking?
b. Horseback?
EMERGENCY POWER
The most common way to produce emergency power for extended
periods of time is to use a generator.
Batteries will last for only a limited amount of time. Usually a few hours at the most.
A generator will last as long
as the fuel does.
There are two basic types of generators; those with the two cycle
and those with the four cycle engines.
The two cycle requires that an oil (two cycle oil) be added to
the gas. This is accomplished on a
ratio basis.
Example:
1 oz. of oil to 16 oz. of gas.
1 oz. of oil to 24 oz.
of gas.
The ratio is different for almost every engine so make sure you
have the proper instructions.
The four cycle engine has an oil reservoir and uses straight
gas. Make sure that you change the oil
as required. Usually every 20 ‑
50 hours of use. Also make sure you use
the right type of gas (unleaded or leaded) as required. Diesel engines are also available however
diesel fuel is often hard to find.
Plan for a fuel source during a large-scale emergency where
normal fuel sources are no longer available.
A possible source in cities and suburbs are businesses with their own
gravity fuel tanks. This will depend on
local safety codes. Dont take this for
granted. In rural areas farmers and
ranchers use their own gravity tanks.
Permits and inspections are required for these tanks so a check with the
correct agency can provide addresses.
Arrangements made with sources ahead of time could keep radios on the
air when it really counts.
Storage of generators for extended periods allows the fuel to
break down and cause corrosion and leaves unwanted deposits in the fuel
system. Check with your local auto or
marine parts retailers for an additive, which will reduce or eliminate this
problem.
If you don't need much power (300 ‑ 2500 watts) the
2/4-cycle engine is the smallest and the quietest. Generally 25 feet away from the generator is all the distance
needed to minimize the noise from the exhaust.
The four-cycle generators will provide more power (2500 ‑ 5000
watts) but they are not very quiet. A
distance of up to 100 feet is usually the minimum distance for quiet operation.
Choose the size of the generator so that it will deliver twice
the average power as the transmitter(s) output. Remember a transmitter uses twice the input power as the rated RF
output just to operate. (100-watt
transmitter consumes 200 watts of power.)
Since there will distance involved between the transceiver and
generator, no matter the type, caution must be used in choosing the required
extension cord. All wire has an IR
voltage drop.
Most equipment requires at
least 105 volts to operate. Most
generators run at 117 volts. Therefore
a 12-volt drop is the most that can be tolerated. The following list will serve as a
guide.
Size Wire Max
Current/100 ft. Max Power Transmitter
#16 7
A 750 W pep
#14 15
A 1000 W pep
#12 20
A 1500 W pep
#10 25
A 2000 W pep
BATTERIES
Batteries are rapidly becoming a very common source of power for
emergency communications. They require
a great deal of care or the expense can get out of hand. The best way to keep from using up batteries
too fast is to not discharge them too far nor to recharge them too fast. Use specific battery specifications to
determine how best to use each type of battery. Batteries should not be counted on for prolonged operations. They should be used for a stand‑by
energy source while waiting for the generator to come up after a power failure
or during generator refueling.
Generally batteries are used for back‑up power in case line
or generator power fails. There are two
types of batteries that will service the amateur well. Deep‑cycle batteries (used in boats,
RVs etc.) can be fully discharged and charged daily. However, most radio
equipment will not operate below 10.5 or 11vdc. Therefore the voltage will have to be monitored so that equipment
will not fail. Float‑service
batteries are generally used in uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and should
not be discharged and recharged any more than necessary. They are usually automatically trickle
charged as required by the drain placed on them. Either of these batteries can be the lead‑acid or gel cell
type.
Automobile batteries are not the best type to use. They are designed to provide large amounts
of current for a short period of time (starting the engine).
The wire size/current ratings above hold true for batteries as
well. However, usually with batteries
the operating voltage is only 12v. If a
high power transmitter is to be supplied from a 12v source, more current is
required. Therefore much larger conductors
will be required. See equipment
manuals.
The antenna is still the most important piece of equipment for a
radio amateur. Emergency operations in the field enhances that importance. It has to be efficient and located in the
right place.
Get the antenna as high a possible (or required). Use an antenna with a low angle of radiation
(vertical dipole or yagi) if your location is high, relative to the other stations
in the net. If your location is lower
than the other net stations, use an antenna with a high angle of
radiation. Use high gain
antennas.
There are many ways to get an antenna as high as possible. Portable mast can be put together with TV
mast sections and guy lines and long (12 ‑ 15 in. ) steaks. Military surplus mast of up to forty feet
can be purchased. These come as
complete kits; mast, guys, steaks, lanyard/pulley, ground swivel and hammer.
Flagpoles and trees can be used.
Slingshots and bows and arrows can be used to get a line up over tree
limbs. (CAUTION: use care when erecting
antennas in this manner.) Remember to
keep the antenna as clear from these as possible. There are also tripods available, which will support VHF/UHF
antennas on up to 10 ‑ 15 ft. of mast.
The larger the antenna (an 80 meter dipole of a 20 meter yagi)
will require stronger installations. An
operator may not be able to do all the work alone. They should recruit help form anyone capable and available.
Near vertical incident sky wave (NVIS) antennas may be required
for an installation. This antenna can
be mounted just a few feet from the ground.
It now becomes a choke and shock hazard. Mark the antenna, feed line and area appropriately.
Operators should not underestimate the value of a good antenna
system or the effort required to erect it.
Since most, if not all, of the packet operating locations will be
at a location other than an operators QTH here are some ideas of what might be
required.
Field operation often requires emergency power. This will either be a generator or
batteries.
Generators don't always provide a nice even voltage level and
have spikes and rapid fluctuations. Computers
and their peripherals do not like this.
This problem can be reduced or eliminated by the use of a line
conditioner or a uninterruptible power supply.
There are computers/peripherals, which are designed to operate
from batteries (12vdc). Be sure to have
enough batteries for prolonged operation, and/or the ability to recharge
depleted batteries as required.
The TNC should also have a source of power and most operate from
12vdc. Try and choose one, which draws
as little current as possible.
A printer is a must. A
hard copy of traffic is the norm. There
are printers that can be operated from 12vdc or modified to operate from
12vdc. Make an effort to have one.
A transceiver that operates from 12vdc is also a good idea. If two transceivers (one for voice and
another for packet) are not available then a data/voice controller is
suggested. This will allow switching
between the microphone/speaker and the TNC.
Just change to the proper channel at the same time as the modes are
changed and either mode can be utilized as required.
This recommended list represent just about all the items an
operator may need to have available when deployed for emergency and public
service activities. This is only a
recommendation. The operator must take
whatever they think they may need.
1. RACES/ARES Identification
Card. 6. Personal Gear (for 72
hrs)
2. FCC Amateur Radio
License. a.
Everything in #5/72 hrs
3. Radio Gear.
b. Sleeping Bag, Blanket.
a. Radio(s), HF, VHF, UHF. A/R c. Cooler w/72 Hr supply food
b. Microphone(s) d. Mess Kit, Eating
Utensils
c. Headphone(s) e.
Toilet Articles
d. Power Supply(s), Battery(s) f. Mechanical Alarm Clock
e. Antenna(s) w/Mount(s). A/R g. Lantern
f. Spare Fuses
h.
Waterproof Matches
g. Patch Coax/Adapters. N, BNC, i. Candles.
h. SWR Bridge(s), HF, VHF, UHF 7. Tool Box (72 hour duration)
i. Extra Coax. a. Screwdriver, std/phillips
4. Writing Gear.
b. Pliers, lineman/longnose
a. Pen(s), Pencil(s), Paper. c. Wrenches, adj. & socket
b. Clipboard. d. Insulating tape
c. Message Forms. e. 12/120v Soldering Iron
d. Log Book. f. Solder
e. Note Paper. e. Volt‑Ohm Meter
5. Personal Gear. (Short
duration) 8. Other (72
Hour Duration)
a. Snacks. a. Hatchet/Ax
b. Water. (Liquid refreshments) b. Saw
c. Throat Lozenges. c. Pick
d. Personal Prescription(s). e. Shovel
e. Aspirin f. Siphon
f. Extra Prescription Glasses
g. Jumper
Cables
g. Flashlight w/batteries h. Highway Flares
h. First Aid Kit i. Extra Gas &
Oil
OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY BE
REQUIRED
A. Generator D. Snow Chains
G. Four Wheel Drive
B. Antenna Mast E. Rope H. Maps
C. Antenna Rotor F. Chain Saw I. Equipment Manuals
APPENDIX
A
Every formal radiogram message originated and handled should
contain the following component parts in the order given.
I PREAMBLE (all in same line)
a. Message Number
b. Precedence (R, W, P or EMERGENCY)
c. Handling Instructions (optional, see text)
d. Station of Origin (first amateur handler)
e. Check (group count, number of words)
f. Place of Origin (not necessarily location of station of
origin)
g. Time Filed (optional with originating station)
h. Date (must agree with date of time filed)
II TO ADDRESS Name, Street, City State (as complete as possible,
include zip code and area code/phone number)
III Text (limit to 25 groups
or less, if possible)
IV SIGNATURE (Emergency and priority traffic messages will always be
signed by the originator.
VOICE
Message number 1, Priority,
INITIALS Hotel X‑ray Alpha, K6???,
Somewhere USA, 1235Z July 2
TO John Doe
123 East 1st Street
Somewhere USA 99999
888‑123‑4567
You are the father of a boy.
Nine pounds and 22 inches long.
I am doing just fine.
Mother Doe
RTTY, AMTOR or PACKET
NR 1 HXA N5!!! SOMEWHERE ELSE
USA 1956Z JULY 2
JANE DOE
456 NORTH 3RD STREET
SOMEWHERE ELSE USA 00010
999‑987‑6543
GREAT NEWS. GLAD YOU AND SON ARE OK. BE HOME TOMORROW.
FATHER DOE
Handling Instructions
(optional)
HXA ‑ (followed by
message number includes mileage authorization)
Collect landline.
HXB ‑ (followed by
message number) Cancel
message if not delivered
within ___ hours of filing time.
HXC ‑ Report date and
time of delivery (TOD) to originating station.
HXD ‑ Report to
originating station the identity of stations TOD and relay stations TOD or if
delivered report date and time and method of delivery.
HXE ‑ Delivering
station get reply from addressee, originate message back.
HXF ‑ (followed by
message number) Hold delivery until ________.
(Date)
HXG ‑ Delivery by mail
or landline toll call not required. If
toll or other expense involved, cancel message and service originating station.
The letters ARL are inserted in the preamble in the check and in
the text before SPELLED OUT NUMBERS, which represent texts from this list. Note that some ARL text include insertions
of numerals (figures).
Example:
NR 1 R W6??? ARL 5 SOMEPLACE ELSE DEC 19 JOHN DOE 123 FRONT
ST SOMEWHERE CITY USA PHONE
999‑555‑????
BT
ARL FIFTY EIGHT
BT
JANE
Group One ‑ For
Possible "Relief Emergency" Use
ONE ‑ Everyone safe here. Please don't worry.
TWO ‑ Coming home as soon as possible.
THREE ‑ Am in _______ hospital.
Receiving excellent care and recovering fine.
FOUR ‑ Only slight property damage
here. Do not be concerned about
disaster reports.
FIVE ‑ Am moving to new
location. Send no further mail or
communication. Will inform you of new
address when relocated.
SIX ‑ Will contact you as soon as possible.
SEVEN ‑ Please reply by amateur Radio
through the amateur delivering this message.
This is a free public service.
EIGHT ‑ Need additional ______ mobile
or portable equipment for immediate emergency use.
NINE ‑ Additional ______ radio
operators needed to assist with emergency at this location.
TEN ‑ Please contact ______. Advise to standby and provide further emergency information,
instructions or assistance.
ELEVEN ‑ Establish Amateur Radio
emergency communications
with ______ on ______MHz.
TWELVE ‑ Anxious to hear from you. No word in some time. Please contact me as soon as possible.
THIRTEEN ‑ Medical emergency situation exist
here.
FOURTEEN ‑ Situation here becoming
critical. Losses and damage from
______.
FIFTEEN ‑ Please advise your condition and
what help is needed.
SIXTEEN ‑ Property damage very severe in
this area.
SEVENTEEN ‑ REACT communications services also
available.
Establish REACT communications with ______ on
channel ______.
EIGHTEEN ‑ Please contact me as soon as
possible.
NINETEEN ‑ Request health and welfare on
______. (Name, address and phone
number.)
TWENTY ‑ Temporarily stranded. Will need some assistance. Please contact me at ______.
TWENTY ONE ‑ Search and rescue assistance is
needed by local authorities here.
Advise availability.
TWENTY TWO ‑ Need accurate information on the
extent and type of conditions now existing at your location. Please furnish this information and reply
without delay.
TWENTY THREE ‑ Report
at once the accessibility and best way to reach your location.
TWENTY FOUR ‑ Evacuation of residents from this
area urgently needed. Advise plans for
help.
TWENTY FIVE ‑ Furnish the weather conditions at
tour location as soon as possible.
TWENTY SIX ‑ Help and care for evacuation of
sick and injured from this location needed at once.
Group Two ‑ Routine
messages.
FORTY SIX ‑ Greetings on your birthday and
best wishes for many more to come.
FIFTY ‑ Greetings by Amateur Radio.
FIFTY ONE ‑ Greetings by Amateur Radio. This message is sent as a free public
service by ham radio operators here at ______.
Am having a wonderful time.
FIFTY TWO ‑ Really enjoyed being with
you. Looking forward to getting
together again.
FIFTY THREE ‑ Received your ______. It is appreciated. Many thanks
FIFTY FOUR ‑ Many thanks for your good wishes.
FIFTY FIVE ‑ Good news is always welcome. Very delighted to hear about yours.
FIFTY SIX ‑ Congratulations on your ______, A
most worthy and deserved
achievement.
FIFTY SEVEN ‑ Wish we could be together.
FIFTY EIGHT ‑ Have a wonderful time. Let us know when you return.
FIFTY NINE ‑ Congratulations on the new
arrival. Hope mother and child are
well.
SIXTY ‑ Wishing you the best of
everything on ______.
SIXTY ONE ‑ Wishing you a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.
SIXTY TWO ‑ Greetings and best wishes to you
for a pleasant ______ holiday season.
SIXTY THREE ‑ Victory or defeat, our best wishes
are with you. Hope you win.
SIXTY FOUR ‑ Arrived safely at ______.
SIXTY FIVE ‑ Arriving ______ on ______. Please arrange to meet me there.
SIXTY SIX ‑ DX QSLs are on hand for you at the
______ QSL Bureau. Send ______
self-addressed envelopes.
SIXTY SEVEN ‑ Your message number ______
undeliverable because of ______. Please advise.
SIXTY EIGHT ‑ Sorry to hear you are ill. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
APENDIX
B
There will be occasion where you or someone you are assisting will
require the service of the 911 operator while you are using your radio as the
instrument for communication. There are
two
ways to gain access to 911
via the patch.
1. The auto patch on a
repeater. (Make sure you know the operation of the local repeaters.)
a. You or a control
operator will:
(1). Use an access code to gain access to the auto patch.
(2). Dial 911 direct or a special dial code.
(3). Use the special combined access/dial code to
initiate call.
2. Standard phone patch
via VHF/UHF simplex or HF operation.
a. Request assistance from any operator with phone patch
capability.
(1). VHF/UHF very
difficult. Few operators have this
capability.
(2). HF is much
easier (though not always). Many
operators have phone patches and there are nets operating daily. (See ARRL Net
Directory.)
After getting the 911 operator:
1. Identify yourself.
a. Give your name.
b. Give your amateur
call sign. (Tell the operator you are
operating from a radio.)
c. Give incident
report.
(1). What has
happened. (Is happening)
(2). Where it's
happening. (Most accurate description possible)
(3). What is your
estimate of what is needed.
(a).
Police, fire, ambulance, emergency medical aid (any or all).
(4). Where you
can be reached.
(a). Home
phone (anytime, low priority).
(b). If
it's important enough the 911 operator may want to reach you immediately. Check
with the repeater control operator to see if his phone number is available or
if the repeater has a call back "reverse patch" phone number.
(c). You
may be required to keep in contact with a specific agency as required by the
911 operator and the situation.
(5). Answer any
other question the 911 operator may have.
2. LET THE 911 OPERATORS TERMINATE THE CALL. Wait until you hear the phone disconnect
before you terminate the patch.
Example:
OP: My name is John
Smith. I am calling via amateur
radio. My call sign is WA4?. There is a two-car collision at the corner
of 1st and A streets. One car is on fire and the driver is trapped inside. The driver of the other car is unconscious
and on the ground. Traffic is backed up
blocking both streets. Situation
requires police, ambulance, fire and emergency medical aid immediately. My home phone is 555‑XXXX.
911: Can you give me a number where I can reach you
immediately.?
OP: Yes. Wait.
OP: Control
operator (CO), can you furnish a call back number?
CO: Yes. They can call 555‑ZZZZ. You should stay on frequency.
OP: Roger. Out.
OP: 911, did you
copy the number?
911: Yes. Thank you
for calling. Good‑bye.
OP: Roger. I will stand‑by on this
frequency. Good‑bye.
(REMEMBER ‑ WAIT FOR 911 OPERATOR TO HANG UP FIRST.)
The use of the telephone service in emergency tactical and
welfare communications is often an excellent communications tool. An interface between the input/output of the
radio and telephone
is required in order to allow
a connection to be made. The phone
patch is such an interface. A standard
transceiver or a repeater can be connected to a phone patch. The procedures for
operating them follows:
1. When the phone patch
is connected to a transceiver at an operating location the station operator
controls the operation of the phone patch.
2. This is "third
party traffic" and the control operator must always keep complete control
of both sides of the conversation.
3. When initiating a
"patch" the control operator calls a certain phone number and identifies
himself (name and call sign) to the third party.
4. Explain the rules;
"This is a conversation that can be carried on by both parties but only
one at a time. Say OVER when you are through and wish the other party to speak. Use no 'obscene' language or I will have to
terminate your end of the conversation.
The FCC prohibits such language."
5. Switch on the patch
and have the calling party initiate their end of the conversation.
6. Set a time limit on
welfare calls. Let tactical calls take
all the time they require.
Repeaters with patches are very common. However often only the control operators have the access codes to
activate the patch. If repeaters in
your area have open patches make certain you have the codes. If they are closed with controlled access
try and make certain a control operator is standing by in case a patch is
needed. Use the same procedures listed
above when
running a tactical or welfare
patch on a repeater.