TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WV ARES BULLETIN NR 09.15 DATE: April 12, 2009
SUBJECT: TIPS FOR "ALL" RADIO OPERATORS
While attending a meeting several years ago, I had to listen to a complaint from a person who should have known the proper radio procedure for calling in an emergency and/or the principals of low power radio operations. Not being an amateur, maybe this person didn't know a couple of the many "things to remember" about radio operation and the reporting of accidents or emergencies via radio.
That brings us to this bulletin.
As most Amateur Radio operators know, handheld radios usually operate at 1 to maybe 6 watts. But did you know that the majority of Public Safety, (fire, police, ambulance, rescue, etc.) radios available may only operate at 1 to 2 watts. In any event, the possibility that you may not be able to communicate through a repeater from certain locations is very likely, especially for the Public Safety radio operator.
Breaking in on a busy repeater, in an emergency, is possible if the operator remembers a couple things. This also goes for the Public Safety radio operators as well. Always position yourself so you are facing either the repeater or a remote receiver if that type system is used. Get your key finger ready, because in many cases you will need to be quick on the key. As one of the users un-keys, key your radio and just say "BREAK". Amateur radio operators have used this method for years and it works. If you don't get their attention, try again. If this fails, move to a different location, three or four feet one way or the other to possibly hit the repeater better, and try again by saying "BREAK BREAK". If this fails, you may just have to move your position to a higher location or use another repeater which may have a different line of sight.
We have issued numerous bulletins on when and how to use the radio to report accidents or emergencies. Public Safety radio operators please take note; Reporting accidents or emergencies by radio is fine, but if you are in, or at, a place that has a working telephone, USE THE TELEPHONE! Or have someone else use it. Don't use the radio, to call in an incident that you come upon in a place of business, restaurant or home, if the telephone is working. USE THE TELEPHONE! Or have someone make the call. This is still the best and most reliable route of communications, if it is available. Radio communications are for use when telephone service is not available or is out of order.
(Reprint, with modification of, Wood County RACES Bulletin NR 92.07 by Duane Jones, N8LDM, Wood County Emergency Services DHS)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator