QUICK REFERENCE: Team Radio Operator (TRO)

1. Bring your Ham or FRS radio with you when you report to your IC
2. Make sure you have fresh batteries in the radio, and a spare set (dedicated ONLY to your radio)
3. Teams will be formed and a Team Leader will be assigned by the IC
4. Each Team Leader will be assigned a team identifier and contact channels for radio communications
5. The Team Leader is the default Radio Officer for his team (he may delegate an alternate in his team)
6. The Radio Officer may assign tactical identifiers for their Team Members that also have radios

REMINDERS:

1. Monitor the contact channel
2. Respond promptly when called
3. Acknowledge received information
4. Keep it short and clear

EXAMPLE: IC CONTACTS TEAMS

1. All CERT Teams will always be listening on the primary contact channel
2. The IC calls the Team on channel 9 with "Niles Delta, Niles Delta, Niles Control"
3. Niles Delta answers "Niles Delta here"
4. The IC then conducts their traffic
5. When done, they will say "Niles Control, out"

EXAMPLE: TEAM CONTACTS IC

1. The District IC will always be listening on the primary contact channel
2. The Team calls the IC on channel 9 with "Niles Control, Niles Control, Niles Delta"
3. Niles IC answers "Niles Control here."
4. Team responds and conducts its traffic
5. When done, say "Niles Delta, out"

RECOMENDED MESSAGE FORMAT
    a) Team ID; b) location; c) status; d) needs, advisories, or planned actions

USE CORRECT WORDS

Over = Go ahead and respond
Roger or Copy = I heard you and understand the message
Affirmative / Negative = I agree / disagree
Say Again All Before / After … = Please repeat everything said before / after …
Correction = I made a mistake, will repeat from the last correct word
Break = I am taking a short pause to let you catch up recording my long message
More to Follow = There will be more information later regarding this message
Out = I am ending this conversation

PHONETIC ALPHABET

TROUBLESHOOTING COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS

• Check your battery condition (keep spares handy)
• Check that your PTT button is not stuck in transmit mode (will not receive, but runs down the battery)
• Check that you are on the right channel (as assigned by [district] Control)
• Disengage any ‘privacy codes’ on your radio. Otherwise you might not hear incoming calls.
• Face the direction of your IC when communicating (avoid body blockage)
• Get to clear, high ground (line of sight to your IC) and avoid any metal obstacles
• Keep the microphone about 4-6 inches from your mouth, and to one side
• Hold the antenna straight up when possible
• Keep the microphone out of any strong breezes (prevent wind noise)
• If the ‘primary’ channel is busy, wait a minute. If still not clear, switch to the ‘secondary’ channel

RECOMMENDATIONS ON FRS RADIOS FOR CERT ACTIVITIES

• Full 14 channel capability (maximum flexibility)
• Standard alkaline batteries (NOT only special rechargeable types)
• Rugged or rubberized case
• Solid, fixed antenna (NOT folding)
• External ear/mike jack for hands-free operation using a push-to-talk switch
• Priority channel capability (set it to the primary contact channel to keep in touch)
• One-touch "call" button to get someone’s attention or when voice contact is difficult
• LED display (instead of LCD which is harder to see at in the dark, even with backlighting or flashlight)
• Scan capability NOT RECOMMENDED (you can get confused about which channel you are on)
• Privacy tone code capability NOT RECOMMENDED (limits what you can hear)