TO: ALL ARES OPERATORS IN DISTRICT 3 (OFFICIAL)
ALL AMATEURS IN WEST VIRGINIA (INFORMATION)
FROM: WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED AND WOOD
COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES)
ARES DISTRICT 3 BULLETIN NR 07.18 DATE: May 6, 2007
SUBJECT: CALL MORE THAN ONCE
I've noticed from time-to-time that some radio operators, when calling for someone else, on the 147.255 repeater, only makes one call, and sometimes two, for example: "KC8HAI this is WA8LLM", and that's it. You never hear them call any more, except to clear off, and sometimes that doesn't happen. Whoever is being called may be busy, or not near their radio, and it may take a couple of calls for them to hear who is calling or is being called. I know it may take me a couple of times to hear who is calling me. I may be busy doing something, and need to be called a couple or three times, I try not to let it happen, but it does. Whoever is getting called may be in a noisy area and not hear the complete call, only who is calling, or nothing at all. When I only hear a part of the call I usually wait for a second call before trying to find out who is calling, or is being called. If you don't get an answer the first time you call someone, try it again, and if it's real important try several times. Also, if you are using a repeater to make the call, be sure to delay a couple of seconds before making the call after you key your microphone. Give the repeater time to get on the air, and for the audio paths to get established before you transmit the callsigns. Another help would be to give the callsign of the station you are calling twice before giving your callsign. After you have made a couple of calls and signed off, don't leave the frequency for a little while. The person you are calling may have to quit what they were doing before they could get to their radio. Give the person you're calling a chance to hear, and time to get to the radio, so they can answer.
(Reprinted, with modifications, of District 3 ARES BULLETIN 06.47)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Assistant Section Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator