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EVENT.TXT
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1991-12-14
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9KB
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192 lines
Warm weather is upon us, and the coming of the special event
communications season. Bike-a-thons, marathons, mall displays and
parades are but a few of the many events that we as amateur radio
operators participate to sharpen our operating skills and perform a
valuable public service. It is also a great public relations tool, and
besides...it's just plain fun!
It's important for special event coordinators to remember that, while we
would like to perform as many assignments as possible, our primary
assignment is... communications. We are bound, as always, by Part 97
regulations administered by the Federal Communications Commission. They
specify that amateur radio communications should serve the public
interest and should be of an emergency nature, and should not duplicate
traffic that could be handled by other means, such as Citizens Band,
GMRS, business band, commercial rented radios, and cellular telephone
systems. Special event communications should usually relate to
emergency medical or tactical traffic that help protect the safety of
the public. We have received numerous complaints in the last few weeks
that amateurs are performing logistical traffic operations during
special events such as requesting bicycle parts from event headquarters,
ordering tables and chairs for a rest station, and requesting forms and
paperwork. These practices and others endanger our being able to
support these events. During the recent Iditirod sled dog race in
Alaska, the FCC actually monitored the race communications after
complaints (by amateurs) that packet radio communications were relating
to non-emergency functions, such as the movement of officials (see QST
magazine May 1991 page 59). Representatives of the FCC Personal Radio
Branch noted violations of the "no business traffic" rule.
Where does that leave us as special events communicators? The primary
emphasis is...use common sense. Ask yourself the following questions
before transmitting traffic:
> Does the traffic relate to the health and safety of the public?
> Could I use another medium to send the traffic?
> Does the traffic have an emergency or tactical nature, or is it
logistical in nature?
> Could it be a violation of the FCC's "no business traffic" rule?
Make certain that you can justify your actions before accepting traffic.
Traffic relating to injured runners or riders, informing other
communicators of the location of the first few runners/riders in a race
to prepare them for operations and being a communicator in a `SAG'
vehicle are ways we can perform a valuable service without transmitting
unauthorized radio traffic.
If you have questions/comments on special event communications, refer to
either of the ARRL's publications `Special Event Communications' or the
`Public Service Communications Manual' or ask your ARRL Leadership
Official.
>>>>>DO's and DONT's for Special Event Communications<<<<<
DO use simplex if at all possible, with a repeater as a back-up and for
talk-in. Clear the function with the repeater group in writing, and
well in advance.
DO arrange for someone who knows the area to handle talk-in, or at least
someone with a good map if no one else is available.
DO get a crystal-clear understanding of the needs of the group you are
serving.
DO arrange for someone to be in charge as Net Control. Even small
events can have messy communications without this. The group needs a
leader. You are the best one for this in many cases.
DO arrange for relief operators. Everybody needs lunch or coffee
breaks.
DO arrange for your people well in advance, but check on them the week
before to make sure they are still available. If you can have extra
people or standbys available, do so. Excuse people as soon as you can
as long as their job is finished and all other positions still needed
are covered.
DO have the NCS keep track of who is where so he knows whom to call when
asked to contact a person or checkpoint.
DO keep your EC or DEC informed of what you are doing and who
participates. He can help you arrange publicity. Public-relations
releases before and after the event can help us all get our message
across that we are here with the ability to serve. The EC or DEC can
also help you get the operators you need.
DO tell your operators exactly what their assignments are and remind
them of the general guidelines for public service events. Assignments
and changes in these guidelines should be made known to the entire group
before the event begins, or during its progress if the change occurs
then.
DO thank your operators and share any feedback you get with them.
Courtesy and thoughtfulness pay off.
DO have Amateur Radio operators working in teams of at least two people
if possible. Make sure that at least one member of the team is
monitoring the radio at all times.
DO identify vehicles as Amateur Radio Communications Vehicles.
Operators should be identified, too. A call-letter badge or ARES or
RACES patch is sufficient. Use baseball caps with an ARES patch or the
group logo.
DO maintain a courteous, professional image. You may be working with
several agencies including police, fire, first aid squads, National
Guard, etc. Extend every possible courtesy to members of these groups.
Make sure they know who you are and what your communications
capabilities are.
DO use standard ARRL message forms when necessary for official requests
and messages.
DON`T over identify! You must identify your station only at ten minute
intervals during a series of transmissions. However, don`t jump into
the net every ten minutes just to identify. For example, if you only
engage in a short exchange of transmissions every half hour or so, you
will fulfill the identification requirement if you ID at the end of each
exchange.
DO use tactical call signs. Check-point or unit numbers or other
special identifiers are legal, provided the station requirements are
fulfilled. Use standard Amateur Radio operating procedures for all
communications.
DO make certain the frequency is clear before making a call. The
channel can get very busy during "tactical operations". When you
complete an exchange with another station, use the prowords "clear" or
"out" so other stations will know the frequency is now available to
them. Keep transmissions as short as possible. Resist the tendency to
ragchew or ramble.
DON`T apply first aid unless you are trained and certified to do so.
Call for medical assistance and an ambulance or medical personnel will
be dispatched to your location.
DON`T transport an ill or injured person in a private vehicle. This is
the job of the medics and the police. An emergency vehicle is properly
equipped, and can get through traffic much faster than a private car.
DON`T handle routine business or commercial communications. This
includes communications regarding dollar amounts of walkathon pledges,
etc. The press and broadcast stations may quote or rebroadcast amateur
signals, provided the signals rebroadcast do not contain references to
the broadcast.
DO enjoy yourself! Amateur Radio public service is fun!
DO prepare the night before. Make sure your batteries are charged and
take spares if needed. Have a clipboard with paper and pencils, gas in
the car, miscellaneous spare parts you may need and maps if available.
Know where you are going and when you must be there.
DO arrive on time on the day of the event. If you are not familiar with
the location allow extra time to get there. Checking the map the night
before to plan your route will not guarantee that you make every turn
correctly.
DO introduce yourself to the person or people you will be working with
at your station. Let them know who you are and why you will be there.
Stay at your post unless you are excused. Make sure both the Net
Control Station (NCS) and the officials you are with know when you
leave.
DON`T offer more than you can deliver. You are there to provide direct
emergency assistance. You are there to communicate the need for such
assistance to the proper authorities.
DON`T leave the frequency unless the NCS knows. If you must leave
early, the more in advance this is known the better.
DO inform the event communications coordinator if you cannot make the
event after agreeing to be there; the sooner this is relayed to the
person in charge of amateur communications at the event, the better.
DO obey the instructions of the Net Control Station. The NCS is there
to respond to general queries from the net or from other amateurs on the
frequency. Even with only a few amateurs involved, the NCS is necessary
for smooth functioning. Address requests to transmit to the NCS and
obey his instructions just as on traffic nets.
DO transmit as little as possible. Silence is golden. Speak as little
as possible. Avoid excessive use of call signs (once every 10 minutes
is all that is required). "Net from Checkpoint 1" conveys much more
information.
DO memorize the main operations frequency and alternate frequencies.