Chapter 6 Emergency Communications 06/15/22 1 Technician - Chapter 6 - 1 Jul 10-30 Jun 14 Providing communications support during and emergency or in response to a disaster is one of the amateur radio’s primary reasons for existing. Emergency communications take priority over all other types of amateur radio communication on any frequency. Emergency communications require efficient and high levels of performance.
Chapter 6 Emergency Communications. Providing communications support during and emergency or in response to a disaster is one of the amateur radio’s primary reasons for existing. Emergency communications take priority over all other types of amateur radio communication on any frequency. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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• Don’t become part of the problem. You are there to provide communications support. Nothing else.• Maintain your safety.• Maintain radio discipline• Never speculate or guess• Protect personal information• Don’t give out unauthorized information• Do not relay news messages and reports on behalf of broadcasters/reporters.
In a serious widespread emergency, the FCC may declare a temporary state of communications emergency.
The declaration will contain any special conditions or rules that are to be observed for the duration of the emergency including prohibited frequency usage.
The only time a frequency can be set aside for use by a specific user is during a FCC-declared communications emergency. Unless you are involved, avoid those frequencies.
The FCC recognizes the need for flexibility during emergencies and allows its rules to be “broken” in order “to provide essential communications… in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communications systems are not available.”
This means that unlicensed persons (e.g., Firemen, Medics, Police, your family) can use your radio to communicate when there is an immediate risk to human life or property and normal means of communication (e.g., telephone, cell phone) are not available.
This also means you can communicate via ham radio using frequencies not normally allowed by your current license as long as there is an immediate threat to life and property and normal means of communication are not available.
Once the threat to life and property has passed, you must operate within the FCC rules and in accordance with the privileges granted with your license.
The FCC rules must be followed at all times, even if using your radio in support of a public safety agency.
If you are in immediate danger or require immediate emergency help, you may make a distress call on any frequency on which you have a chance of being heard regardless of your license class.
• Using voice say “Mayday Mayday Mayday”• Using Morse code send: SOS SOS SOS”• Give your call sign• Give your location• State the nature of your emergency• Describe the type of assistance required• Provide any other pertinent information.
If you hear a distress call on any frequency, you may respond.
• Suspend any ongoing communications immediately• Record everything the station in distress sends• Try to respond to the station in distress and if successful, let them know you’ve copied their information, clarify any information as required, and immediately notify the appropriate authorities (e.g., Police, Fire, Rescue, Coast Guard, etc.)• Stay on frequency until help arrives.
To increase efficiency and smooth coordination, amateurs who provide communications support to public service events (e.g., parades, marathons, walkathons, etc.) as well as during emergencies often use what are called “tactical call signs”.
Tactical call signs usually indicate a station location or function during a public service event or actual emergency.
The two largest amateur radio emergency response organizations are ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) sponsored by the ARRL and RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service).
Both organizations provide emergency communications.
The following slide compares the two organizations.
The success and effectiveness of amateur radio operators when responding to an emergency is due to their training which includes lots of practice.
Emergency communications practice is designed to improve your operating skills as well as familiarize you with the specific processes, procedures, and techniques necessary to perform as an emergency communicator.
You can also improve your skills by getting on the air.
The following slides are some examples of “Go Kits” as they apply to radio gear.
While each are unique in design they are very similar. They contain a complete radio station in a box. All you have to do is take it to the emergency, connect power and an antenna and you can immediately start operating.
The radio gear can be HF only, VHF/UHF only, or both.
DX contacts can be exciting and enjoyable. If conditions are good your contact could turn into a pleasant ragchew. If conditions are bad, your contact may be limited to an exchange of signal report, location and name.
Log each contact using Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) or GMT or Zulu time (They’re all the same).
Send your QSL card directly to the DX station and include return postage), to an indicated QSL manager or to the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau (You must be an ARRL member to use the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau)
Pursuing DX contacts is a great way to hone your technical and operating skills. You will learn about the nuances of propagation, antennas, and the natural environment.
It will be frustrating, exciting, rewarding and fun.
Another amateur radio activity that will expand your operating skills is Contesting. The common goal of most contests is to make as many contacts as possible in a fixed period of time.
When you encounter a contest, listen before you jump into the action. Learn what the contest involves. Check the ARRL website for contest schedules and exchange information. These are exchange examples:
Participants in DXing and Contests, as well as other activities such as Special Events can earn “awards”. There are over 3300 awards available for DXing and Contests.
All of the awards have little to no monetary value.
Cheap plaques (Under $50) Certificates
Some of the awards must be purchased (DXCC, VUCC).
A word about Special Events… These are operating events that are on the air for a brief period (a day or two – usually on a weekend) to commemorate or publicize an activity of special significance.
In addition to the novelty of the event, they often offer unique or colorful QSL cards or certificates for making a contact.
The sometimes use a special call sign (a “1x1” formatted call) for their event.
Nov 5-Nov 7, 1700Z-1700Z, N8F & K8F, Whitefish Point, MI. Stu Rockafellow Amatuer Radio Society. 18.160 14.260 7.240 3.860 . Certificate. Richard A. Barker, W8VS, 264 N East St, Brighton, MI
While it may sound complicated, all you need is a radio that can transmit on one band and listen on another (e.g., your typical handheld), a directional antenna and some software for tracking the satellite.
Any amateur who is licensed to transmit on the uplink frequency can make contacts via satellites including contacts with the International Space Station.
That means amateurs with a Technician class license or higher.
Satellite uplink and downlink frequencies are restricted to special sub-bands:
29.300-29.510 MHz145.80-146.00 MHz435.00-438.00 MHz1260-1270 MHZ2400-2410 and 2430-2438 MHz
To make contacts via satellite you’ll need the following:
A satellite tracking program.
The Keplerian elements for the satellite
Determine the satellite’s operational mode – the bands on which it is transmitting and receiving. Specified by two letters separated by a slash bar (e.g., U/V). The first letter indicates the uplink and the second letter the downlink band.
The uplink for a satellite in U/V mode is in the UHF band (70cm – 435.00 to 438.00 MHz) and the downlink is in the VHF band (2 meters – 145.80 – 146.00 MHz)
Always use the minimum amount of transmitter power to contact satellites, since their relay transmitter power is limited by their solar panels and on-board batteries.
In the previous discussions about propagation, we briefly mentioned that VHF and UHF signals could be “bounced off” meteors and this was called “Meteor Scatter”.
Most hams use special software, a data interface and sound card (just like keyboard-to-keyboard modes – e.g. PSK31).
Amateurs may transmit telecommand signals with an output power not to exceed 1 watt.
Because telecommand signals do not identify the licensee on the air, remote control (RC) operators are required to display their call sign, name and address on their RC transmitters.