Amateur radio is a unique hobby. There is something for everyone. Whether you are a highly competitive individual, a "laid back" couch potato or somewhere in between, you can find your kind of fun in the hobby. It is also different in that it operates under Federal rules as administered by the Federal Communications Commission of the United States. In addition, we are bound by certain International requirements set up by Treaties and agreements with other nations.
Each of us as a part of the licensing procedure has had to learn at least a part of the rules governing Amateur Radio. The rules are laid down in Part 97 governing the Amateur Service. In virtually the first paragraph of the rules is a thing called "Basis and Purpose". Here you will find the broad definitions and outlines of the Amateur Service. The important point to be covered here is "Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.". It would seem then that public service and emergency communication is an important part of our reason for being. In other words, along with the privilege of our licenses comes the responsibility to use our skills for the public well-being and benefit within the confines of Part 97 of the rules.
Emergency operating capabilities are learned and perfected during public service communications. Locally, this has taken the form of operation in parades, bike rides, marathon foot races and other public group activities requiring rapid communication where commercial means are not available or timely. The real thing has also occurred locally. The 1986 flood comes to mind as the most recent major event requiring our services. We have also helped in recent forest fires and even in reporting traffic and roadside emergencies.
Newcomers rarely consider emergency operation as a probability. Then suddenly, a public event or an emergency condition arises. Will the newcomer be ready for this vital service with newly-acquired skills? Most likely the first response will be "Oh my God, what do I do now???". We will attempt in this dissertation to answer some of the questions that have been heard over the years. In many cases, there is no totally correct answer. Also, today's answer may be totally inappropriate tomorrow. However, training and experience can gradually overcome the feeling of inadequacy and confusion that will inevitably occur the first time around.
Obviously, the best preparation is operation at a public service event in the company of an experienced person who will pass along some of the "tricks of the trade" to the newcomer. Given the sometimes shortage of persons available, this is not always possible. What, then, happens at a parade, bike ride, race or other event? What do you actually do at these things? What is required of the radio operator in a disaster such as a fire, flood or earthquake? What equipment is required, and what are the operating procedures? What about my family in a disaster? What is legal, and when? Whom do I contact for direction when the hammer falls? Will the "Old hands" understand that I'm nervous, scared and afraid I'll foul up?
The important thing to remember is that we all had to start at the bottom. The experts (if there any) are not so terribly intelligent -- it is only that they have already made most of the mistakes. If we are lucky, perhaps the newcomer can learn from the experience and mistakes of the old timers.
At the outset let's answer one question -- What is the most important thing I must do as a communicator? The answer in the author's opinion is that the most important thing is to know when to talk and when to listen. Unfortunately, this seems to be the most difficult thing to do for everyone. The alleged expert has simply learned to exercise the restraint required in these situations. If there is any doubt, don't talk.
Now, let's look at a typical small scale public event. We'll call it a parade, though it may be almost any activity requiring communication between two or more places. The usual situation will entail a central control point or headquarters with outlying locations needing monitoring. The supervisory people or "brains" of the event will be found at the headquarters point. The outlying points could be assembly points or places where the progress of the parade participants must be monitored.
It would therefore be logical to set up a Network of radio operators with a Net Control Station at the headquarters location which will communicate with operators at the various remote locations. Operation may be through a local VHF repeater or on VHF Simplex where communication is direct from NCS to each of the Net locations. The repeater or simplex decision would be made on the basis of the area and distance to be covered and the coverage to be expected from the two methods. Short distances with good direct coverage would logically operate on simplex. This would entail less disruption to the larger coverage area of the repeater. This is especially true in the case of a "High Level" repeater with a large service area. In other words, keep the party line as short as possible. In some cases, another factor in the equation would have to be availability of gear. If most of the equipment available consists of handheld transceivers with inefficient "rubber duck" antennas, it may be necessary to utilize the repeater. On the other hand, with more powerful mobile equipment in the 25 to 40 watt range in good supply, the coverage on simplex would be extended. This would make the use of simplex more attractive in this case.
We now have in place the elements of the communications system. We have the operators and equipment on the sites and communication has been established. Now comes possibly the most vexing problem in the whole operation, especially to the eager-to-help newcomer. Is the traffic I have just been asked to pass allowable as a non-commercial use within the constraints of Part 97? Can I allow an unlicensed person to talk on my transmitter? Am I within my rights in refusing to pass traffic I deem unsuitable? The last two questions are easy.
It is perfectly legal for you to hand your microphone to anyone as long as you are able to reach the power switch and turn the transmitter off. This is what is meant by "Control Operator," whether at a public service event, in your own ham shack or at an emergency communication site. Though seldom required at a public service event, sometimes done in demonstration in your ham shack, this concept can be extremely important during an emergency. During an emergency you are there because normal commercial communications are not available. Any and all types of transmissions, other than profanity, are perfectly legal. The person in charge at your site says, "I need to talk to John Doe". You advise the net control station and John Doe is now available on the other end. You hand your microphone to the person in charge and let him relay his message. It is important to realize that when you are required to relay something that someone else has said, sometimes critical items can be lost or misunderstood during the translation. Whenever possible, hand them the microphone and let them say it themselves. Just remember to identify your station at the close of the conversation.
At a public service event, you are certainly correct to refuse traffic that is plainly commercial in nature. Now as to what is acceptable within the rules -- it's tough. One criterion would be "If a commercial activity will result or be abetted, don't do it.". Another would be to stay away from plainly administrative traffic. In the usual case, we will have been briefed on the type of traffic to be expected, and the event organizers will have been advised of the limitations of our licenses. Also, in the usual case, we are in place to handle primarily Health and Safety traffic. Thus, if there is an injury and we call for medical help, we are making appropriate use of our capabilities. In the final analysis, it would be the duty of the Net Control operator to make the decision. There have been numerous articles and discussions of this aspect of the rules in the various magazines and ARRL publications. Hopefully, we have seen at least a few of these before we get to the parade, ride or whatever.
Now, as to "Just what do you do at these things?" -- strangely enough, a lot of the time is spent in just listening and being available. While it may appear that there isn't a lot going on, remember that for every station talking to the Net Control Station, there may be ten others on the net listening. In the parade of our example, we may keep track of the elements along the route, make requests for uniformed enforcement people to control traffic, request medical assistance if someone at our location is injured or perhaps help locate parade officials for coordination of the parade progress. There will always be unforseen events and situations, and this is where judgement on the part of the operator comes in. The bottom line is always "Use your head.".
ost of the net traffic will probably entail placement of resources to control the crowd and parade participants. We are not in the business of either, but where the public safety is involved, we can call for help in the form of uniformed enforcement or parade workers. An example might be where auto traffic is ignoring traffic barriers and presenting a possible hazard to people watching the parade. It would, however, be totally inappropriate for us to attempt enforcement on our own in such a case. We might find ourselves in a situation where an angry driver would ignore our directions and we would have no means to back up our orders. Leave enforcement to the uniformed personnel.
All traffic should go through the Net Control station as in any net operation. Each station in the net must be constantly available in case of need by NCS or in case of an emergency or event at his or her location needing immediate attention. This doesn't mean you stand there with the microphone in your hand; it means don't stray far from your equipment and if you must leave even if for only a few minutes, you advise NCS of your absence. Remember that in a Net, the Net Control operator is in charge of all transmissions on the frequency. If you have been assigned to a remote location, you may not be able to hear all the stations on the Net. This is especially true when using simplex. The Net Control station will generally be outfitted and located where it can hear all stations on the frequency. Many times during an emergency the Net Control is monitoring more than one frequency. If you have traffic for the Net or any of the remote locations in the Net you must be recognized by the Net Control before you transmit your traffic. If you have emergency traffic be sure and identify it as such when calling Net Control. If your traffic is non emergency, call Net Control and wait until you are recognized and given a "go ahead" before transmitting your traffic. When your turn comes, keep your transmissions brief and to the point. Rule Number 1 in a NET/NET CONTROL situation is KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SAY BEFORE YOU SAY IT! Rule Number 2 is SEE RULE NUMBER 1.
Now let's look at a bike ride. These things seem to be getting more popular each year. Locally they vary in length and difficulty from the ride around the block through the ride around the Sutter Buttes (approximately 40 miles) to the more ambitious events such as the Trans-Sierra ride associated with the Beckwourth Days event in Plumas, Butte and Yuba Counties. The latter encompasses almost 150 miles through steep mountains on dirt trails as well as valley terrain. It requires the services of two radio clubs and more than thirty operators.
A bike ride of any significance will entail rest stops where food and water and sanitation facilities are available. There will be the usual headquarters location and ride organizers who need to know the progress of the thing. There will be a Net Control Station who will control communication throughout the event, and the usual operations procedures will be used.
Communication will be required at the headquarters location and the rest stops. In addition, there will be "SAG Vehicles" floating along the course with the riders. The purpose of these vehicles is to monitor progress of the riders and render assistance to tired riders and to handle breakdowns of bikes. This usually takes the form of hauling the bike and rider to the nearest rest stop or to headquarters. The SAG Vehicles may be provided by others and we ride along with equipment or we may drive our own vehicles equipped with mobile radios. In some of the more elaborate rides, there may be Emergency Medical Technicians on the course. In this case we would provide an operator with mobile gear to ride with the EMT's.
Communications for a bike ride will usually mean keeping track of the SAG Vehicles and EMT's as well as medical and safety problems at the rest stops. Once again, we cannot handle administrative traffic. We can handle any traffic concerning health and safety such as getting help to an injured rider or expediting transport of food and water to the rest stops. The food and water are considered a health requirement for the riders.
The actual mechanics of the communication network for a bike ride will vary with the length and character of the course and the number of riders in the event. A short course may require only a few people and no more preparation than discussion at a meeting prior to the event. On the other hand a long course with perhaps more than one hundred riders will require detailed advanced planning and written information for the operators involved. In many cases the logistics involved in getting operators and equipment to the right place at the right time can be frightening. It may require several meetings and much work to prepare for the event.
A foot race or marathon would be treated much like a bike ride. It is doubtful that we would see a marathon of the magnitude of the long bike ride. Otherwise, the operation would be similar.
Several unfortunate things can happen during the planning of these events. One that will impact the communicators is that the organizers either do not allow enough time for planning or that they do not realize the magnitude of the undertaking. This can cause problems in that we do not have the time to properly inform our people, and we therefore "play it by ear". This may not be a terrible thing for the experienced people in the group, but it can be confusing to the person who has not participated before. It becomes much too easy for the inexperienced person to feel short changed by a lack of hard information. Just keep in mind that the people setting up the system may be as much in the dark as everyone else.
There have been questions concerning the use of "Tactical Calls" at these events. A tactical call is usually a descriptive label such as "SAG 1", "Rest Stop A" or some other combination. These have been deemed legal, but they do not take the place of your Amateur call. The station still must be identified in the usual manner every ten minutes and at the conclusion of the contact.
Now, what about the equipment required? This will vary with the type and magnitude of the event. It may be that in one case, the use of Handhelds with "Rubber Ducks" running on Simplex is appropriate. In another, it will require the use of higher powered Mobile Transceivers with good outside antenna installations.
In some cases, the decision concerning equipment, frequencies, and such will be made on the basis of availability of operators and equipment rather than good operating practice. This is a perhaps unfortunate average circumstance, rather than the exception to the rule. Therefore, if there are few volunteers and they are equipped mainly with the popular HT, then the local repeater and the HT's will be pressed into service. This can be the case even in a small event covering only short distances. If there are more volunteers on hand with the resulting availability of more powerful transceivers, then Simplex may be appropriate.
Simplex should be used where possible. There are several reasons for this. It will reduce traffic on the local repeater. It will result in vastly fewer comments and interruptions from people outside the area of the event wanting information. It will result in fewer instances of "ragchewers" being asked to vacate the repeater for its use in the event communication. And lastly, let's realize that if mistakes or infractions are to occur (and they will occur), it is better that it happens locally rather than on a party line covering hundreds of square miles.
Remember that most of the above comments apply mainly in the average non-emergency case. In the event of a true emergency, all normal day-to-day operation and ragchewing go out the window. All frequencies and repeaters become tools of the Emergency Coordinator and he or she calls the shots.
There is one very important step in the planning of any event that will use any repeater installation. Before the thing takes place, be sure that the Repeater Licensee is aware of the planned operation and has approved use of the repeater in the event. In many cases, this person can make suggestions and offer technical advice that will make the job of the organizer of the communication effort much easier. Anyway, it's only common courtesy to let the guy know you want to use his call.
There will be cases where we may be asked to provide assistance to groups in other areas. This will usually occur in the case of a true emergency rather than a planned event. What happens? What do you take?
Let's look first at what has happened in the case of forest fires in the past. The local Emergency Coordinator will be asked to provide volunteers to furnish communication and act as "shadows" for certain officials in the area of the fire or at control points. When you volunteer, you will need your own radio gear, clothing and personal gear for as long as you are away and transportation to a main assembly point. In some cases, people maintain radio equipment and a supply of batteries, clothing, food and water that will supply their needs for up to seventy-two hours. This means that at any time, they can leave and be on the road fully self-sufficient for up to three days.
In the usual case, you will need a 25-watt mobile transceiver on two meters, a mag-mount antenna and a cigarette lighter adapter power cord for the transceiver. Extra clothes are appropriate if you're to be gone for more than a day. Food and water are usually available at the site. If more than the usual equipment is needed, the Emergency Coordinator will have that information.
When you arrive at the assembly point or at your assigned location, you will operate as directed by the person directing the communication system in the fire area. This has usually been one of the local amateurs or an Emergency Coordinator having communication responsibility in the area. You will then remain on duty until you are relieved or until released by the Emergency Coordinator.
Now let's consider the case of a flood or similar disaster. Your first responsibility is, of course, to your family. In many cases, there is in place a plan that allows for evacuating families of emergency workers early in the course of events. In other words, when the water reaches a certain point and before a general emergency is declared, families of people required to be present during the emergency are evacuated, and the emergency personnel remain in the area of the anticipated disaster. This is done to permit the personnel to accomplish their jobs without concern for family. Again, if this does not happen in your case, your first priority is understood to be your family.
We now have the workers present at an assembly point or headquarters location, or they are on call and available on a moment's notice for whatever job they are assigned. This task falls on the Emergency Coordinator or his or her designated alternate. When notified of your job and its location, you would get yourself and any equipment (possibly including power supply) needed to the appointed location. You would check in with NCS as soon as the station is set up. From that point on, it is once again be available and listen on the Net frequency. Idle chatter and rag chewing would not occur, and you could experience long periods of silence, especially in the night hours. On the other hand, there will be periods of what appears to be pandemonium on the Net as rapidly occurring situations are dealt with and the situation is brought under control.
You should be prepared for long hours at the rig in times of emergency, since many times it will require hours or days for things to stabilize and for sufficient people to be found to do the job at hand. This is the reason for the food, water, extra clothes and such that are maintained by some people.
There are several things that become apparent in these situations. First, the basic type of operation is quite similar to the usual net or public service operation. Second, there is a difference due to the urgency of the operation where danger to life or property is present. This is why the practice gained at the regular nets and Public Service operations pays off. It should be obvious that the midst of a disaster is no place for training of new operators.
Equipment required in a disaster situation is not too different from the usual Public Service event. Individual circumstances will dictate the choice of frequencies, modes of operation, use or not of a repeater and the like. Most of these decisions will be made by the Emergency Coordinator or members of his management team. Remember that what may not appear reasonable to the individual operator may be obvious to the Coordination personnel who are aware of the whole operation. This means you don't badger those people with unnecessary questions nor do you question their decisions in the middle of the emergency. There will time for those types of things at the critique that will follow the operation. In other words, follow orders and no second guessing when you don't have the whole picture.
If you are outside the disaster area but you are hearing the traffic, resist the urge to offer your help when not asked. If you are able to volunteer your time and equipment, contact your local area Emergency Coordinator and pledge your support. Don't drop this sort of thing on the people in the disaster area for their decision. If there is a shortage of operators or equipment, it will be made apparent by the people at the scene. Requests for assistance will ordinarily be made by your Emergency Coordinator locally either via the local repeater or telephone. There are few things more frustrating to the persons working a disaster than to have to handle repeated requests for information or unneeded offers of assistance from amateurs outside the disaster area.
As indicated above, the local Emergency Coordinator suddenly becomes a Very Important Person in a disaster or emergency. Each local amateur should know who the EC is, and the EC should know how to get hold of you on short notice. One of your first acts after you get your license and some familiarity with net operation should be to get registered with the local Office of Emergency Services (OES). This will get you an identification card and registration as an amateur radio operator. In the event of a disaster or emergency, that card is perhaps the only thing that will get you to the scene of your assigned job. The time of the emergency is too late to procure the card. As an added benefit, registration with OES will protect you as a volunteer with medical insurance if you are injured while working as a volunteer operator. It may also protect you in case of loss of your equipment in the disaster. Once registered, you should carry the OES card at all times.