QRZ! Ham Radio 5/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso/files/arrl/hiram/event.txt

Text File | 1994-11-27 | 9.1 KB | 199 lines

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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.