The 49 MHz, hands free and FRS (Family Radio Service) radios can be used for several things. Since the radios do not require a license, you can use them for just about anything. One use for them is to practice the operating procedures of Public Safety radio. You can learn how to dispatch fire departments, police departments, rescue squads, and ambulances without interfering with actual Public Safety traffic. To do the practice in this way its better if everyone involved in the training is in different rooms so they can't hear each other except via the 49 MHz or FRS radios. You can make up your own scripts and emergency dispatches. Another use for the hands free radios is the practicing of sending and receiving messages over radio. It gives you a chance to learn how fast or how slow to speak or read the messages. To do practice in this way you should have someone that familiar with the kind of practice you're doing, monitor the activities, and correct any mistakes. You don't want to generate a bunch of mistakes thinking that's the way to do it. It's better if you use actual Unit Numbers, Agencies, and Stations that you may be working with in real situations.
(Reprinted, with modification from Wood County ARES Bulletin NR 97.45)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV;
ARES Assistant Section Coordinator WV
ARES District Emergency Coordinator WV DISTRICT 3