Operations

1
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• Choosing Phone Net Frequencies
• -- Local, regional communications can take place
  on 2m, 70cm FM or 40, 60, or 80 meter SSB/CW
• -- VHF, UHF FM preferred for local
  com-munications rigs are common, portable, have
  clear voice quality, and range can be extended by
  repeaters

2
Operations LogisticsLU 1622

• HF SSB may be used in areas without repeaters
  and/or larger areas on 40, 80 meters (out to
  about 200 miles)
• NVIS propagation for 40-80 meters for local
  operations use 15-20 meters for longer distances
  (beyond 200 miles)
• METERS will select frequencies

3
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• Know your resources in advance
• -- Learn coverage areas and repeater specifics
  (review p. 113)
• Network Coverage Concerns
• -- VHF/UHF simplex nets mitigate repeater
  failures or overloads
• -- Terrain affects simplex coverage

4
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• -- METERS should test all known fixed locations
  for coverage (practical?) METERS testing
  hospitals, collection points -- not on test. Pse
  review p. 114, top p. 115)
• Frequency Net Resource Management
• -- Main net plus backup frequencies
• -- Relay may be needed

5
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• Message Relays
• -- Use a third station to communicate between
  stations 1 and 2
• Radio Room Security
• -- Only operators on duty in the radio room
• -- No media unless OKd by served agency

6
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• Record Keeping
• -- Served agencies expect it
• -- Keep messages sent, station logs, memos,
  official correspondence
• -- Some agencies may want scratch notes and
  informal logs
• -- Agency choice keep logs or turn them in

7
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• -- Important to know served agencys wishes in
  advance
• -- Review p. 116 for operating log content
• -- Label each message with date and time
• -- Establish filing system to easily retrieve
  messages
• -- Use expandable file, portable office

8
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• Dealing with Stress and Egos
• -- Disasters create incredible stress
• -- You may be disoriented, confused, unable to
  make good decisions (or any at all)
• -- All situations in early hours of a disaster
  tend to be regarded as emergency
• -- Review stresses on pp. 116-117

9
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• Long Term Operations
• -- Make long-term plans when incident calls for
  them
• -- Review potential needs, p. 117
• Battery Management
• -- Some batteries require additional recharging
  time -- see p. 117-118

10
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• Generator and Power Safety
• -- Take care with generator placement
• -- Locate for minimum noise
• -- Earth ground not required with
  plug-and-cord-connected equipment
• -- Generator should meet NEC code 250-6
• Ground Fault Interrupter adds safety

11
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• -- Test GFI with HF equipment
• AC extension cords
• -- Rate for load
• -- 16-ga. 50 cord rated for 10 amps
• -- Two 16-ga. 50 cords in series drop rating to
  7 amps
• -- Two parallel cords reduces load on each

12
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• -- Use of Romex for extension cords is a code
  violation and a dangerous practice
• -- Repeated Romex coiling, uncoiling causes solid
  wires to break
• Equipment -- Leaving Yours Behind?
• -- No one should tell you to leave your equipment

13
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• -- If you leave equipment, mark it clearly
• -- You are still responsible for your equipments
  operation, even if damaged
• -- Treat other peoples rigs like your own
• Accepting Specialized Assignments
• -- Assignment may not include communications

14
Operations LogisticsLU 16

• -- METERS has understandings with served
  agencies, not MOUs
• -- Accept non-communications assignment only if
  you are qualified or certified
• -- Use your judgement, but you are communicators
  -- review p. 119

15
Personal Safety, Survival, HealthLU 17

• Home and Family First
• -- Be sure you arrange for security, safety,
  general well being of home and family before
  accepting an assignment
• -- If you live in disaster area, or are in the
  path of a storm, move your family first
• -- Notify police or neighbors of your plans

16
Personal Safety, Survival, HealthLU 17

• -- Review home and family checklists, pp. 122,
  123
• Should you leave at all?
• -- Your family may need you as much or more than
  EmComm group decision time
• You First -- the Mission Second
• -- Take care of yourself

17
Personal Safety, Survival, HealthLU 17

• Food
• -- 2000 calories per day, average stress can
  require more
• -- EmComm shelters should have food
• -- High calorie/high protein snacks helpful
• -- Freeze-dried food, MREs (Meals Ready to Eat),
  cooking utensils may be needed

18
Personal Safety, Survival, HealthLU 17

• Water
• -- Safe water may be difficult to find
• -- Average have one gallon per day
• -- Camping stores offer purification supplies
• -- Review purification specifics, p. 124
• Sleep
• -- Try to get six hours, uninterrupted

19
Personal Safety, Survival, HealthLU 17

• Personal hygiene
• -- Be sure to take toothbrush, tooth cleaner,
  comb, deodorant
• -- Spare clothing, washcloths and towels
• Safety in Unsafe Conditions
• -- Never go where you could be trapped, injured,
  or killed

20
Personal Safety, Survival, HealthLU 17

• -- Wear appropriate clothing for weather,
  situation
• -- Be ready to help find or rescue others
• Shelter
• -- You may be able to stay at operations center,
  but
• -- You may need tent, camp trailer, RV

21
Personal Safety, Survival, HealthLU 17

• Medical Considerations
• -- Review physical condition with doctor
• -- Special needs e. g., diabetes
• Protect Your Eyes and Sight
• -- Take extra glasses, contacts
• -- Lens scrip for long-term deployment
• -- See personal needs checklist, pp. 126/127

22
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• Amateur Radio May Not Always be Best
• -- May need to use any means available, task may
  exceed manpower limits, let official use your
  radio (3rd party)
• Legal Considerations
• -- Emergency, as defined by FCC, gives everyone
  any means necessary

23
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• -- Only when no other normal means of
  communications is possible
• -- Hams convicted of interfering with a police
  agency after calling for help
• -- FCC took no enforcement action
• -- One judge ruled Amateur committed
  pre-meditated interference after mods

24
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• -- Obtain licenses for radio services requiring
  them, i.e., GMRS
• Using Modified Ham Radios
• -- Not legal on VHF/UHF rigs used for regular
  emergency use
• Permissible Modes on the Other Services
• -- CB still popular with truckers, public

25
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• FCC use letter K followed by first, last
  initials and ZIP code as CB call
• -- Class D CB call (before mid 80s) OK
• -- DO NOT USE YOUR AMATEUR RADIO CALL SIGN!
• -- Truckers use Channel 19 Channel 9 for help

26
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• -- REACT, other CB groups monitor Ch. 9
• Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)
• -- Established 2001 see freqs. p. 132
• -- Intended for personal, mobile use
• -- Businesses have used itinerant freqs
• -- 154.570 MHz color dot freq now MURS simplex
  channel freq

27
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• Family Radio Service (FRS)
• -- 14 channels, 38 CTCSS codes
• -- 100 mw to 500 mw power levels
• -- REACT recommends Ch. 1 (462.5625 MHz) for
  emergency calling frequency
• -- First 7 FRS Chs. shared with GMRS
• -- Most FRS radios are 2 or 14 Chs.

28
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• -- See p. 132 for freq relationship charts
• General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
• -- 15 UHF freqs 462.5625-462.7250 MHz
• -- Requires low-cost FCC system license,
  currently available only to families
• -- 462.675 MHz for emergency, travel information,
  and monitored by REACT

29
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• -- Eight freqs paired with matching repeater
  inputs, 5 MHz
• -- Seven interstitial(space between) chs.
  paired with FRS 5 watts limit
• -- Power on other chs. limited to 50 watts
• -- Can work simplex, even on paired chs.
• -- No freq coordination local users agree

30
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• -- P. 134 shows GMRS, FRS shared freqs
• -- Chs designated by decimal extension e.g.,
  550 identifies 462.550 MHz
• Public Safety Radio
• -- Fire, police freqs you might get training
• -- Keep transmissions short, to the point
• -- Cease operation if told

31
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• Cellular and PCS Phones
• -- Useful, but can be quickly overloaded
• -- Digital transmissions more secure
• -- Low-speed data, faxes possible
• Marine Radio
• -- FM chs in 160 MHz band HF SSB chs use ITU chs
  between 2-30 MHz

32
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• -- You may legally answer marine distress
  call(s), not answered by Coast Guard, with
  unlicensed land-based radio under FCCs
  emergency communications rules
• Aviation Radio
• -- AM radios in 108-136 MHz band used in
  aircraft, certain vehicles and ground stations

33
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• -- FCC licenses are required for all radios
• -- ELTs (Emergency Location Transmitters) are
  automatic, use 121.5 MHz (civilian) and 243.0 MHz
  (military)
• -- Same freqs used for marine EPIRB (Emergency
  Position Indication Radio Beacons)
• -- Use unlikely unless by served agency

34
Alternate Communications MethodsLU 18

• Non-Radio Communications
• -- Landlines -- you know -- telephones!
• -- Couriers -- ideal for very sensitive or
  lengthy messages
• -- End of training! Whee!!