TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATERUS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 12.44 DATE: October 28, 2012
SUBJECT: WHEN TO USE SIMPLEX
When should you use simplex operation? There are several times when you should use simplex. Anytime you and the people you are communicating with are within direct communications, you should use simplex. When the repeater that you normally use is not available, or out of service, you should use simplex.
If you find that your normal repeater goes off the air due to a power failure or any other reason, the first thing you should do is switch to a pre-assigned simplex frequency. You should make a call for anyone who might be listening so make sure you have communications. If you can't make contact with anyone, and you still have telephone service, then you should make telephone calls and make other operators aware of the situation.
If your normal repeater goes off the air do to bad or severe weather, then you should monitor your simplex frequency for any traffic that may need to be handled. Since simplex is limited to a short distance you should be available to relay traffic or information from weaker stations.
Practice operating simplex anytime you get a chance, you never know when you may have to use it.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV