QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/files/races/opsptech.txt

Text File | 1994-11-27 | 11KB | 200 lines

Page 1

OPSPTech   Version 1. 3     3/1/92



Subject: OPERATIONS/TECHNIQUES
[Category: OPS]

EMERGENCY AND DISASTER RADIO OPERATING PROCEDURES
by Bill Ozment, W6LSW, Volunteer, California State Auxiliary
Radio Service, OES.

 CALLING AND COMMUNICATING TECHNIQUES:
The secret to working quickly and efficiently in an emergency net
is to use standard procedures. The techniques presented herein
are the most common. It doesn't take much analysis to see that
standards and guidelines must e established and then utilized.
Before you key your mike, gather your thoughts about what you are
going to say. Many hams have a tendency to talk and/or repeat too
much. Say what you need to say without unnecessary repeats. Keep
in mind that you must strive to get your message through the
first time.
In general, there are five parts to Calling/Communications. The
more serious or complex the situation, the more important these
procedures become. The information printed herein MUST be
practiced until it is second nature.
FIRST, you MUST give the tactical call of the station you are
calling. This alerts that station that they are being called and
that they should listen to determine who is calling.
SECOND, say "THIS IS". The called station knows your tactical
call follows.  This is extremely important in cases where there
is a lot of confusion or poor signal conditions.
THIRD, give your tactical call sign. Note that we say tactical
calls and not ham radio calls. Tactical call signs are important
and ham calls are not, egos notwithstanding.
FOURTH, give your message. Speak clearly. Don't speak too fast
especially if the message needs to be written down. Pause after
logical phrases. Do not use the word "break" when you pause. It
is confusing, wastes time and has another connotation in formal
message handling. Merely unkey and pause. If the other station
has questions, they should key up and make their request known.
This also permits other stations to break in if they have
emergency traffic.
FIFTH, end your message with OVER or OUT. RB193

EXCEPTIONS OR VARIATIONS
1. It is sometimes permissible to omit the call designator of the
station you are calling BUT only after communications have been
established and no confusion will occur. Don't waste time, by
using superfluous call signs.
2. The term "THIS IS" is used to separate the FROM and TO call
signs. If, and only if, confusion will not result, omitting the
"THIS IS" phrase is permissible.
3. If you are the calling station and you omit your own tactical
call sign, you can create confusion. In certain situation, such
as quick replies between operators, it can be accomplished
without confusion. You must NOT use this simplification where
messages can be interpreted incorrectly.
4. Elimination of the words "OVER" and "OUT" is possible where it
doesn't introduce problems. Unkeying after your message implies
"OVER". To comply with FCC regulations, you must give your FCC
assigned call every ten minutes OR at the end of a series of
exchange communications, whichever comes first. Giving your call
sign can imply an "OUT" ending. Should giving your call cause any
confusion, do not hesitate to add the word "OUT". In HF
single-sideband radio, it IS necessary to say the word "OVER".
RB194

CONTINUATION OF RADIO PROCEDURES DURING EMERGENCIES
1. Identify yourself at the beginning of each transmission
especially where confusion may result if omitted.
2. Identification is a requirement of the FCC. Stations must give
a complete station identification at least once in a 10- minute
operating period, particularly when tactical calls are being
used.
3. Listen before transmitting. Be sure you are not on the air
with someone else.
4. Know what you are going to say before you push the mike
button; in other words, engage your brain before you put your
mouth in gear.
5. Hold the transmit button down for at least a second before
beginning your message to insure that the first part of your
message is not cut off.
6. TALK ACROSS THE FACE OF YOUR MICROPHONE. This technique makes
the communications more understandable. In other words, hold the
face of the microphone almost at a right angle to your face.
7. Speak slowly, distinctly, clearly, and do not let your voice
trail off at the end of words or sentences. Give each and every
word equal force. For some this takes a lot of practice and
conscious effort but do it.
8. Never acknowledge calls or instructions unless you understand
the call or instructions perfectly. If you do not understand, ask
for a repeat.
9. When you have understood the message, acknowledge the receipt
with the words "copy", "received" or "acknowledged." The word
"copy" is preferred and NEVER the word "QSL."
10. The word "break" is never used UNLESS there is an emergency.
Give you call letters to gain access to a net.
11. Always acknowledge calls and instructions. Nothing is more
disruptive to the smooth flow of communications than dead silence
in response to a message. If you cannot copy or respond to the
call immediately, then tell the caller to say again or stand by.
Otherwise, acknowledge each call immediately.
12. Under stress, many operators have a tendency to talk too
fast. ACCURACY FIRST, SPEED SECOND.
13. At times, radio conditions are poor and words must be overly
exaggerated to be understandable. In general, speak very slowly
and distinctly to carry through static and weak signals.
14. If your are relaying a message for another person, be sure
you repeat the message exactly, word for word as it is given to
you. If it makes no sense to you, get an explanation before you
put it on the air. If necessary, refer the message back to the
originator for clarifications.
15. There is no place for "Q" signals during official and
emergency communications. They are too easily misunderstood,
rarely save time, and often result in errors.
16. Do not act as a relay station unless Net Control, or another
radio station, asks for a relay -- and you can fulfill the
requirement with your station.
17. When transmitting numbers (house numbers, street numbers,
telephone numbers, etc.), always transmit number sequences as a
series of individual numbers. Never say numbers in combinations.
18. If a proper name needs to be transmitted, always spell it out
using the ICAO phonetic alphabet. Do not use cute or
self-invented phonetics. There is no place for them in official
and emergency communications. Avoid using the phrase "common
spelling" to reduce confusion.
19. ONLY TRANSMIT FACTS. If your message is a question,
deduction, educated guess, or hearsay, identify it as such. Do
not clutter up the air with non-essential information. Be careful
what you say on the air. There are many ears listening. Many
facts will be taken out of context even when carefully
identified.
20. If you do not understand the whole message given to you or if
you missed a word out of the transmission, reply with "Say
again." Do not say "please repeat" because it sounds too much
like the word "received" when conditions are poor.
21. Chewing gum, eating, and other activities with items in the
mouth tend to clutter up the clarity of your speech. Don't.
22. Avoid angry comments on the air at all costs. Obscene
statements are not necessary and are out of place in all
communications.
23. Sound alert. Nothing destroys confidence as much as a bored
or weary sounding radio operator. If you are tired, get a relief
operator.
24. During an incident, communications suffers enough confusion
without wisecracks and jokes. Amateur Radio may be a hobby to
enjoy, but when providing emergency communications you must
remember that it is serious business and should be treated as
such at all times.
25. Stay off the air unless you are sure you can be of
assistance. It does no good to offer advice, assistance, comments
or other input to a net unless you can truly provide
clarification. It is better to remain silent and be thought a
fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!
26. Always know your location. If you are mobile or portable and
moving around, always keep a sharp lookout for landmarks. You
must be able, if called upon, the accurately describe your
location at any time. This is particularly important if you with
a search team or other mobile units.
27. On VHF and UHF frequencies, particularly when on the fringes
of communications, look for a receiving "hot spot" site and use
it. Don't walk around talking while in a communications fringe
area. Repeaters have much more power than your handheld. Even if
you have a good signal from a repeater, it does not mean you are
good going into the repeater.
28. If you check into an emergency net, you must monitor on the
net frequency. If you must leave the frequency, ask permission
from the NCS. Report to the NCS when you return to the net. It is
vital that the NCS know the availability of each station on the
net and it is up to YOU to keep the NCS advised. However, if the
NCS is very busy and you must leave the net, do so without
interrupting the net.
29. Net Control Stations frequently are very busy with work that
is not on the air. If you call the NCS or dispatcher and do not
get a reply, be patient and call again in a minute or two. If you
have an emergency, say you have "Emergency traffic" after you
identify yourself when you call the NCS. Be patient with the NCS
and other stations.
30. A mobile radio (that is one that is mobile, portable,or
airborne) has priority over any other type of radio station AND
other forms of telecommunications. This is true in all radio
service. Fixed station operators must recognize that a call from
a mobile station takes precedence over telephone calls, personal
conversations, and other activities. Respond promptly to any call
from a mobile station -- even if it is to advise the caller to
standby.
In conclusion, these few rules and suggestions are intended to
help you become a better operator -- whether Public Safety or
Amateur Radio. Analyze your present operating methods and try to
polish each element so your participation in radio communications
is professional and worthwhile. Your Net Control Station operator
may have the final authority but good, clean operating methods
and procedures almost make a net run without an NCS.
The source of this information is on file and is available upon
request. It has been edited slightly for this application. RB
195-199.