Lessons
on Emergency Communications in Hawaii
Jim
Smith, N7PPF, of Riverside, California, brings to our attention a page on the
"Amateur Radio in Hawaii" Web site devoted to lessons on emergency
communications. Discussions are provided on the following lessons:
Preparations--Training
and Orientation
-- The number-one objective by anyone on the team is to forward the message(s)
to its final destination.
-- Remember the mantra: "Move the message forward." You'll need it
when you're totally exhausted and can't think clearly.
-- Once an emergency situation arises, you are shifting from normal,
day-to-day operations to an emergency operation.
-- It may take from 30 minutes to 3 hours to get people and equipment into the
right locations, to assemble and test their stations, and to begin operations.
-- Once you have learned the basics, try to get as much experience by
practicing in exercises and other on-the-air group simulations.
-- Practice your radio-operator skills, message handling, and net-control
skills (NCS) BEFORE the emergency. Practice it now.
-- To the extent possible, establish a receive frequency that you will
monitor, then announce the monitored frequency(ies) on other nets.
-- As an operator, your training is complete when you can train another person
to be a trainer.
Preparation--Procedures
-- Structure your communications plan to minimize the need for relay stations.
-- Practice relaying both formal messages (ARRL NTS Radiogram formatted
messages) and tactical messages.
-- Do not rely solely on radio repeaters. Practice the use of multiple simplex
frequencies, HF NVIS (High Frequency Near Vertical Incidence Skywave), and
packet radio techniques.
-- Expect to use multiple frequency bands for your operation.
-- Agree on a limited set of VHF/UHF frequencies to monitor during the initial
stages of the activation.
-- Be prepared to use a repeater if you're responding to a localized incident.
-- To the extent possible, see if you can install a UHF repeater with the
greatest coverage for use as a calling channel within a given metropolitan
area.
-- Make photocopies of your equipment manuals and store them with your radios.
-- The user interface for packet radio is most important.
-- Be prepared to deploy physically into the field as opposed to insisting on
operating within a comfortable building such as a furnished and equipped
office building.
Preparation--Equipment
-- Don't use more power. Use a better antenna and mount it as high as you
reasonably can.
-- Bring your own headphones and expect to use them.
-- If possible, use a foot switch to operate the push-to-talk function.
-- Carry extra fuses. Tape them to the radio(s).
-- Use a scanner rather than your 2-meter radio to monitor activity.
-- Try to assemble your station into a rack that can easily be moved and still
be ready-to-operate.
-- Standardize the types of batteries you use, such as AA and D cells, to
minimize the amount of batteries you need.
Execution
-- Remember that you are emergency communicators and not emergency rescue
personnel.
-- The primary objective is to forward the message accurately to its
destination in a timely fashion.
-- Extensive cloud cover can enhance VHF and UHF propagation over mountain
ridges.
-- If you have a weak station on the net, split the net into two nets so the
weak station won't hold back the operations of the main net.
-- Use tactical call signs to speed up the net.
-- Just as you have roll-call check-ins, you can have roll-call IDs once every
ten minutes.
Details
on the above lessons are included on this Web page. This is a special
page, since it is devoted in part to the late Stan Harter, KH6GBX, "for
his years of tireless effort in preparing Hawaii and California for emergency
communications operations."
The URL is
http://ronhashiro.htohananet.com/am-radio/emcomm/lessons.html .
We commend Ron Hashiro, AH6RH, for preparing this valuable material and
posting it on his excellent "Amateur Radio in Hawaii" Web site.
73 de
'Jug' - - -
WA6MBZ
