----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dedicated
to Emergency Communications by RADIO
EMCOMM
MONTHLY
Official
Journal of the World Radio Relay League
www.wrrl.org
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VOL. 3 -- No. 3 ONLINE:
www.emcomm.org/em/
August 2006
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The EM PHILOSOPHY
SHORT CIRCUITS - Brief items
FEEDBACK, MUSINGS... and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
The EM ADVISOR - "Q and A"
WRRL WINDS - WRRL Member News
ICS PERSPECTIVES
TRAFFIC HANDLING - "CODES, CIPHERS, PLAIN ENGLISH... AND
COMMON SENSE"
NETWORK NEWS - "N.E.T.S."
WRRL WORKSHOP - A 14 v. Emergency Power Source
SHOW US YOUR SHACK - Updated
FEATURE ARTICLE - The Chronicles of Nocandoo, Episode III
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS - Stuff for Sale
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and CONTRIBUTORS
SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION
The EM PHILOSOPHY
Editorial by
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ
"PRO(s) and CON(s)" --
Should Agencies Hire Hams for Non-amateur Communications?
We've noticed a trend over the past few years
that some federal, state and even some local agencies are
attempting to recruit amateur radio emcomm operators to
perform non-amateur communications and other duties.
EM believes this is not a good utilization of
skilled licensed operators and only depletes what is already
a diminishing volunteer resource. We are also
concerned about the attitude by some: "Why
utilize a free volunteer service...when we can pay
someone to do it?" Of course the "we"
is you and I (the taxpayers).
A few weeks ago an EM
subscriber forwarded a notice titled: "FEMA
HIRING RADIO OPERATORS". It said (in part):
"This is actually good news. It means that the value of
amateur radio as a means of providing emergency
communications, and the value of the trained amateur radio
operator himself is no longer such a deep dark secret.
FEMA needs a few good hams. The agency is in the
process of building their HF communications capabilities and
need people with radio and messaging experience to support
us in helping those who need us in disaster areas (like the
Gulf Coast/Katrina). Those hired (will) work part
time, and only when there is a need for their skills.
When the other systems are down, HF and mobile VHF repeaters
are what get the information through. Applicants will
be required to pass a federal background check and if hired
may be deployed anywhere in the country. Though not
requirements, strong preference will be made for those who
have already passed the ICS-100, 200, 700 and 800 courses
offered on-line by FEMA and EMI (the Emergency Management
Institute) as well as the EMCOMM courses offered by the ARRL."
Then (this promoter) says: "Note that
this is a government operation using government licenses,
frequencies and equipment and procedures. Ham calls
will not be used and (for the most part) ham frequencies
will not be available."
Sound good? Not so fast!
The " PROs"
• Your personal ego will get a boost, you
will feel important and you may get to wear a uniform.
• You get bragging rights at your next club
meeting or coffee break.
• You will get paid.*
The " CONs"
• The last sentence in the first paragraph
above is true. Employed radio operators will not
using amateur skills, amateur radios or frequencies.
In fact, it is illegal for amateurs to be paid for providing
communications on frequencies in the amateur
service...that's what the word "amateur" means! **
• Employee radio operators will be little
more than appliance operators. Most of the complex
technical and communication skills that skilled emcomm
operators posses will be not needed or utilized. Most
of your training and experience will be wasted.
• More than likely, your FCC amateur license will
not be necessary.
• Your technical skills, your knowledge of proper operating
procedures, and your knowledge of FCC Part 97 also will not be
necessary.
• Your wide range of amateur frequency bands, privileges and
modes also will not be necessary
• Unless you have a commercial radio license, you will NOT be
allowed to repair or modify any of the radio gear or antennas.
• You will be locked into "push button" communications
on pre-selected channelized frequencies and modes.
• You will be dependent upon infrastructure based systems such
as landlines, satellite, or the Internet.
• You will NOT be free to respond with your
normal emcomm team...and provide our mission of service to the
public. ***
The promotional letter (above) concluded by saying:
"Volunteering to go help the Red Cross deliver supplies, hand out
doughnuts or hot meals after the fact, while laudable, is a waste of
amateur radio resources." -- Now THAT we can agree
with!
Each of us are free to choose how we serve. We say that it
not a good utilization of the complex skills and services that radio
amateurs can provide when federal, state and local agencies
recruit from the amateur resource pool to perform tasks that anyone
with a high school diploma (or G.E.D.) can easily be taught to
perform with about a one day orientation to the job. - EM
* A few years ago I needed some extra cash and hired on
with a state forestry unit as a RADO for one season. I was
deployed on a wild fire for six days. I spent six days sitting at
a folding table under a tree in a fire camp recharging batteries and
checking handie-talkies in and out to fire fighters. Not a
good utilization of my skills. A boy scout could have done
that just as well. (It took six months...but I did finally get a
pay check.
** It is legal for a paid-professional, who
is also a licensed ham to utilize amateur radio during emergencies when
the normal means of communications fails, or when the use of an amateur frequency
is incidental or supplementary to his or her regular job. (E. g. - A
school teacher or an astronaut.)
*** As an SEC I once had an EC "hire
out" to a federal agency and desert his local emcomm unit
during a major fire in his own county! If you think that you are
likely to do that...PLEASE do not commit to any amateur radio emcomm
responsibities...whether you are a leader or not!
SHORT
CIRCUITS
• ARCT
RESOURCE TYPING NOW IN ARECC LEVEL III
The latest revision of ARRL's
ARECC LEVEL 3 now includes the ARCT "Resource
Typing" (Learning Unit 16). The ARCT system was
introduced in the December 2003 and January 2004 issues of
QST. This is HUGE step forward for amateur radio
emcomm. Now ARES® leaders have no excuse for not
implementing resource typing at the local and section level.
NOTE: Since the ARECC Level III manual went to press,
the ARCT resource system has been reduced from five
"types" to four "types". The latest draft
of the ICS-ARCT guide is at: www.emcomm.org/ARCT/ and www.wrrl.org/arct_program/arct_table.asp
The WRRL will continue to recruit and certify
pre-registered TYPE I ARCTS. Several are in the
formative stages and it is hoped that there will be at least one
in each FEMA Region by 2007.
Meanwhile, on the DHS/NIMS "front", an indication
has been received that ARCT Resource Typing has cleared the
NIMS Integration Center Resource Planning and Coordination Branch
and is now working it way through the approval process at FEMA.
• EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE
The "Communications Act of
2006" (HR 5852), recently was passed by U.S. House of
Representatives. http://hsc.house.gov/ We've
heard some reports that it will address more than local tactical public
service and might even include amateur radio! HR
5852 will now go to the Senate and if it passes there, it
will finally to the President. EM
has not been able to review an actual copy of this bill (as
passed by the house). Stay tuned...
• TRAFFIC
HANDLER'S CHALLENGE NEWS
Ed "FB" Trump,
AL7N (Fairbanks, AK) has returned to Fairbanks. Thanks to
Frank Thrash, W4DLZ (Metairie, LA) who was kept busy
scoring the quizzes while Ed was touring around the western
"lower 48". At last count he have processed over 200
people who have taken the THC this year. At that
rate we should top 400 by end of year! The 2006
scoreboard may be viewed at: http://www.emcomm.org/thc/scoreboard.htm
"Thank you for scoring (my quiz)
and the feedback. It was a learning experience and I appreciate the
opportunity. " - Gary Takis, K7GJT.
Vancouver, WA
TAKE THE CHALLENGE!
ASSESS YOUR TRAFFIC HANDLING SKILLS AT:
www.emcomm.org/thc/index.html
• NOW IN STOCK -- RADIOGRAM
MESSAGE TRAFFIC HANDLING DVD
T
he RADIOGRAM TRAINING
DVD features D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, as the instructor. The
session was taped live at the U.S.F.S. facility at Redding, CA on
October 29, 2005 by Paul Peterson (K6PTT). As you watch it,
you'll feel like you are actually in the classroom. DW begins
with a review of the history of communications beyond the horizon,
followed by a thorough explanation of the "whys and
wherefores" of basic message handling. Essential
information for all emcomm operators is presented in a palatable way.
The video includes a brief overview of the ICS. Thanks to Robert
Jackson (KB6YTD) of Weaverville, CA, the audio and video quality is
good. Disclaimer: This is not your usual scripted, studio,
well-rehearsed, and edited training video--it is raw and unedited and
it includes flub-ups, bloopers, jokes, as well as unsolicited
comments! There are a few "glitches" that could not be
remedied; however, it is not necessary to adjust your player or TV
when you encounter them, but rather just let the video run. Not
rated. 155 minutes. $10.00 (includes postage and shipping) -
$15.00 for two DVDs to same address. The DVD is copyrighted. Contact
us for permission to copy for non-commercial use only.
Send check payable to: EMCOMM, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA
96058
∙-∙-∙
FEEDBACK,
MUSINGS... and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
ICS-213 ... AGAIN?
"I received the RADIOGRAM DVD and
have had remarks that there is a lot of good
information on the DVD and they feel it is going to
help, as long as the local government does not
specify the ICS-213 forms. We are in discussion with
the local group now." - Ron Phelps, KC5FGO, EC,
Calcasieu Parish, LA
COMMENT: The ICS-213 office SPEED
MEMO is not designed for (nor was it
ever intended for) radio traffic. Comparing
ICS-213 with the universal RADIOGRAM
format is like comparing a Phillips head screwdriver
with a flat blade screwdriver. They each have
their own distinct purpose and are not
interchangeable. ICS-213
"GENERAL MESSAGE" was designed for, and
works well, for informal messages within an EOC
or for delivery by courier. It will not
work for radio message traffic
that must be relayed through more than one station.
There is no place for a complete address or
a place to assign a precedence...and
there is no way to track a message. Where the
ICS-213 form has been used (or tried to be used) to
forward radio traffic through multiple stations, it has
been found to be unwieldy and may take up
to ten times longer arrive (if ever). Unfortunately,
most of the people making the decisions within
emergency management are unfamiliar with radio
communications and/or message traffic.
Persons needing to send a message
by radio, whether TACTICAL or FORMAL may bring to
an emcomm station a message written on any form they want,
or on plain paper, or in their head. The
counter person (Ref. www.emcomm.org/em/november2005.htm )
or radio operator on duty will assist the person to
format the message. Essential information needed
is:
• WHO -- the
message is going to.
• WHERE -- as
complete address as possible...plus telephone number(s) if
available.
• WHAT -- the person
sending the message wants to say.
• FROM -- the signature (and
return address or method of contact if a reply is
desired)
The counter person or duty
operator will add a preamble:
NUMBER /
PRECEDENCE / HANDLING
INSTRUCTIONS / STATION OF ORIGIN /
CHECK / PLACE OF ORIGIN / TIME /
DATE
NOTE: HANDLING
INSTRUCTIONS and TIME are
optional.)
• ALWAYS USE SAME FORMAT FOR
ALL MODES
• NEVER TRUST YOUR
MEMORY FOR ANY MESSAGE WHETHER IT IS TACTICAL OR
FORMAL
• FAILURE TO WRITE
AND LOG ALL RADIO TRAFFIC MAY CAUSE SERIOUS
HEADACHES!
Also, if you go to: http://www.emcomm.org/search.htm and
do a site search for ICS-213 you'll find much more on
this topic. -- EM Staff
See related article: "CODES,
CIPHERS, PLAIN ENGLISH... AND COMMON SENSE"
elsewhere in this issue.
∙-∙-∙
THE
EM ADVISOR
The staff of EMCOMM
MONTHLY is happy to answer your questions
to the best of our ability. Some are "FAQs"
(Frequently Asked Questions) and others are of a specific
nature. Each month we will answer questions that may
have value to other emcomm radio operators.
Technical questions are forwarded to our Technical Advisor, Ed
Ewell, K7DXV. Questions about our ARCT program or
ICS/NIMS are forwarded to Jerry Boyd, N7WR. Others may be
forwarded to other staff members. Questions regarding
EMCOMM in general are usually handled by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ.
Some will wind up on our FAQ page at: http://www.wrrl.org/faq.asp
Before
submitting a question, we ask our readers to check the FAQ page
first...your question may have been asked before.
Also, please consider checking our site search page at: http://www.emcomm.org/search.htm
to see if your question may have been previously addressed in EMCOMM
MONTHLY. Thank you.
Q:
"How is the ARRL, WRRL, ARES® and EmComm related to
each other?" -- Pierre Tromp, ZS1HF, Worcester, South
Africa
A: The
ARRL-The National Association for Amateur Radio is based in
Newington, CT. As its name implies it is national
in scope. The ARRL has a very full agenda including public
relations/advocacy, educational and school programs, grants
and scholarships, awards and contests, product reviews, ham
radio equipment insurance, credit card program, spectrum
defense, planned giving, QSL services, VE coordination
and affiliated club program. Add to this several
publications including QST, QEX,
NCJ, plus a huge amount of
books and software. The ARES® is one part of the
public service arm of the ARRL. The NTS (National
Traffic System) is the other part. Much more
information is available at: www.arrl.org
"EmComm" is simply a
short way of saying "Emergency Communications".
Whether it's EmComm, Emcomm, or emcomm, the term is generic.
EMCOMM MONTHLY however is the name of
the Official Journal of the World Radio Relay
League.
The World Radio Relay League (WRRL)
was formed late last year, and as its name implies, it is
international in scope. The need for this became very
evident after the SE Asia Tsunami 18 months ago and
other international disasters. The WRRL was organized
by concerned emcomm operators who wished to "fill in
some gaps" and to preserve the fundamental and essential skills
necessary for emcomm and public service. One
example is: the accurate RELAY of essential message
traffic solely by radio without using landline or other
infrastructure based systems. (A majority of WRRL
members are also ARRL members.)
The WRRL is an independent specialty organization that is
solely supported by its members (who are dedicated to
public service and emcomm) and is therefore free to pursue its
mission as we see fit: "...to develop, promote and
provide effective emergency communications by trained,
skilled, and disciplined licensed amateur radio operators
capable of accepting, originating, relaying, and delivering
tactical and formal message traffic accurately..."
You will find a more detailed
explanation about how and why the WRRL was organized in the
December 2005 and January 2006 issues of EMCOMM MONTHLY at:
Q: (NOTE: This was written in
reference to the Jefferson Noon Net - 7244 kHz daily at 1200
Pacific)
"How do you attract and keep stations coming back
in a daily net? When the
stated purpose of the net is to handle traffic, but very little
traffic is handled, how do you maintain interest? How do
you make newcomers feel welcome and valued by the net? One
of the things that is clear when you are NCS is that the
important part of going through a roster, or geographic roll
call, is not to get to the end of the list as quickly as
possible, but to dig out any traffic that might be out there no
matter how weak the signal of the station holding it, and to
allow everyone who wants to participate in the net to be
recognized. - Peter Rosenberg, AC7SB, Fall City, WA
A: I
think the number of regular stations is actually quite low.
But I always have preferred quality to quantity in just about
everything. You have no idea of the amount of negative
criticism I have taken over the years for either running the
nets as too regimented or too casual.
But to reply to your question, as a net control operator:
∙ I
try to strike a balance between regimented and casual.
If the net is busy or an incident is in progress or if there
is a lot of traffic I can get very regimented.
Some people find this rude or dictatorial.
∙ I usually do what
I would like to hear in a net and avoid the obnoxious
behaviors that I hate to hear in a net.
(The copper rule is: "Treat others
in a net...as you would like to be treated.")
∙ I
try to always remain aware of, and anticipate what the
needs, of other operators in the net.
∙ I
try not to keep anyone waiting too long for their turn.
∙ I
try to gauge (or pace) the net to the needs of the day.
∙ If the net is
busy with many stations, I try to keep it moving.
∙ If
it is "slow" I allow time for a little more
discussion. Most operators will catch on quickly and
follow the pace set by the NCS.
∙ If
someone takes too much time with a long "spiel"...I
don't usually respond or feed into it. I just keep
the net moving. (Most will "get the message".)
∙ I usually
ignore interference by lids, jammers and splatterers.
∙ I
try to politely answer stupid questions with a kind but
honest answer.
∙ If
someone is new or a poor operator and says something like
"10-4", (instead of "ROGER"), I don't
reprimand them.
∙ I
try to teach by example and avoid bad operating habits.
∙ I
treat newcomers with respect and courtesy and show genuine
interest without embarrassing them by "gushing"
all over them.
∙ I
tell them about the net, its purpose, and invite them
back (always giving them the time and alternate frequencies.
(If
an operator comes across as a hopeless "lid", I may
leave out the "invite them back" part.)
∙ If time permits,
I invite them to briefly introduce themselves and ask if they
have any questions.
∙ I
sometimes reverse the geographic order in which I call a net.
This allows those who usually have to wait for their area to
be called an opportunity to check in earlier.
(It also keeps operators on
their toes!)
∙ Near
the beginning of most nets, I call for stations with
message traffic, contact calls, and stations with
"limited time".
∙ When relays are
necessary...I try to pass the work around. People like
to be utilized in a meaningful way.
∙ Avoid sounding
like a clique of "good ol' boys".
∙ As
far as I am concerned...ALL nets are training nets.
(K6SOJ)
∙-∙-∙
"WRRL
WINDS" (WRRL MEMBER NEWS)
∙ WRRL NETS
- MONDAYS on 14.280± MHz USB 1940Z (SUMMER) 2040Z
(WINTER)
∙
WRRL STATION MAP
UPDATE
A map showing the approximate
location of WRRL stations can be viewed at:
http://www.wrrl.org/map/
∙
WRRL
MEMBER'S PATCHES (view at: www.wrrl.org/supplies.asp
) are now in stock. One for $5, two for $8 or
three for $10 (postpaid to one address). Make checks
payable to WRRL. Recommended display
is on left sleeve 3/4" below shoulder seam of
shirt or jacket. Other acceptable placements for the
patch are on a removable armband or on a black baseball
style cap or black "mil-spec" beret.)
∙ WRRL
LOGO RUBBER STAMP
A WRRL LOGO rubber stamp is now available. Use
on envelopes, QSL cards, letters, etc. It is
like our "globe logo" except it has
www.wrrl.org
below the globe.
View at:
http://www.wrrl.org/supplies.asp
Since they are fairly expensive, we are
offering them at our cost. (However, you may
include a little extra as a donation if you are
feeling rich!). Order an
Ideal®
400R, 1-5/8" diameter, self-inking
stamp for $19.95 + 2.00 postage; or a knob handle
wood stamp for $13.95 + $2.00 postage.
Make checks payable to: WRRL. Send to:
WRRL, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058.
Allow about two weeks for delivery.
∙ WRRL
MEMBER LISTS
Lists of WRRL members by number, state, and call sign are
updated monthly and are posted on
www.wrrl.org
The two digit member
numbers are gone. We only hope that by this time
next year we are saying "the three digit numbers
are gone"! Our
goal? 600 WRRL STATIONS...and at
least one fully capable TYPE I ARCT in each
FEMA REGION in 2006.
∙
WRRL CALL SIGN:
W7RRL
W7RRL has been issued to The World Radio Relay
League. It is authorized for use during
special events and incidents.
∙
Check www.wrrl.org
for updates and information between issues of EM
WRRL: "BUILDING A POOL OF AMATEUR RADIO
COMMUNICATION TEAMS...ONE TEAM AT
A TIME!"
∙
-∙-∙
ICS
PERSPECTIVES
By Jerry Boyd, N7WR, Associate
Editor and ICS Advisor
With all of our winter hay in and most of the summer-get ready
for winter chores done quicker than usual I decided to resume
this column one month earlier than normal. I would like
to devote a little time to the discussion of safety in the
event of an EmComm deployment. This is prompted by a
recent lapse, on the part of a “professional” public
safety agency, which resulted in injury. The “lapse”
involved a fire Incident Commander failing to appoint a safety
officer on a wild land fire which involved a multi-agency
response. Had a safety officer been in place the injury
likely would not have occurred since a hazardous situation
would probably have been noticed by a safety officer as part
of his/her duties.
In EmComm responses to major incidents it is a good idea for
the EmComm group leader to insure that one trained,
knowledgeable member of the team is assigned as a safety
officer. That person can serve as a “double check”
for hazards related, for example, to erecting antennas on
telescoping masts, placement and use of generators, etc.
This would not be the “safety officer” appointed by the IC
as part of the ICS structure, but would be specifically
related to the EmComm group. For a more detailed
discussion of the duties, roles and responsibilities of a
safety officer see: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/ics/safe_off.html
Finally,
a reminder that we are seeking to expand the number of ARCT
Type I Teams (our goal is at least one in each FEMA region).
If you are serious about EmComm I would encourage you to
become involved in the ARCT Type I effort. For more
information please see the ARCT link page on www.wrrl.org
Until next time, 73 de N7WR
∙-∙-∙
TRAFFIC
HANDLING
“For want of a
letter, a word was lost.
For
want of a word, the message was lost.
For
want of a message, a life was lost.”
CODES, CIPHERS, PLAIN ENGLISH... AND
COMMON SENSE
An EM basic studies training
module by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ
BACKGROUND:
§97.113 Prohibited
transmissions.
(a) No amateur station shall transmit:
(1) Communications specifically
prohibited elsewhere in this Part;
(2) Communications for hire or for
material compensation, direct or indirect, paid or promised,
except as
otherwise
provided in these rules;
(3) Communications in which the station
licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including
communications on behalf of an employer. Amateur operators may,
however, notify other amateur operators
of the
availability for sale or trade of apparatus normally used in an
amateur station, provided that such
activity is
not conducted on a regular basis;
(4) Music using a phone emission except
as specifically provided elsewhere in this section; communications
intended to
facilitate a criminal act; messages encoded for the purpose of
obscuring their meaning, except
as otherwise
provided herein; obscene or indecent words or language; or false
or deceptive messages,
signals or
identification;
IS-100 - Common Terminology and Clear Text
The ability to communicate within the ICS is absolutely critical.
An essential method for ensuring the ability to communicate is by
using common terminology and clear text.
A critical part of an effective multi-agency incident management
system is for all communications to be in plain English. That is, use
clear text. Do not use radio codes, agency-specific codes, or
jargon.
Communications Discipline
Important considerations related to communications include:
∙ Observing
strict radio/telephone procedures.
∙ Using plain
English in all communications. Codes should not be used in
radio transmissions. Limit the use of discipline-specific jargon,
especially on interdisciplinary incidents.
∙ Limiting
radio and telephone traffic to essential information only. Plan
what you are going to say.
∙ Following
procedures for secure communications as required.
--- (end excerpts)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Most radio amateurs are familiar with the prohibition on
"codes and ciphers". But we all legally use prosigns,
prowords, Q signals, and many such "codes"
on-the-air on a regular basis. The key words in FCC
Part 97.113 (above) are: "...encoded for the purpose of
obscuring their meaning,..." Carried to an extreme
the Morse "code" would be prohibited since to non-hams
people (and unfortunately many hams) CW signals are
"obscure".
In the NIMS/ICS "Communications Discipline - Important
considerations related to communications" (above), the part
about "Observing strict radio/telephone procedures"
is often ignored, while the second "rule" is often
quoted and has been interpreted and misinterpreted many times over
and has caused a great deal of confusion, consternation and
anxiety. Let's take a closer look at what it actually says.
It is important that we season all of this with a good measure of
common sense. (if you can find any!)
"Use plain English in all communications."
This is surprising in today's multi-cultural
"politically correct" world, and it is odd
that this clause found its way into a government document. COMMON
SENSE: Spanish speaking operators should be
allowed to pass their traffic in Spanish when that
is their primary language. Same can be said for other
(major) languages. A bi-lingual radio operator is worth
his/her weight in gold! (There is no FCC prohibition against
"foreign" language on amateur frequencies.)
Another problem: "plain English" does not exist.
What is plain (and clear) to one person may NOT be plain
or clear to another. Radio signal interference, static,
environmental noise, language accents, speech anomalies,
colloquialisms, and the inability to clearly express
oneself, have complicated human communication since day one;
and in emergency work it has, on occassion, cost lives. COMMON
SENSE: Requiring standardized
"radio codes" would make more sense...and certainly
reduce air time which is always at a premium.
"Codes should not be used in radio
transmissions." This stipulation has resulted
in a lot of confusion and concern. It was aimed
primarily at tactical radio communications public service
agencies who do not use standardized "radio
codes" as advocated by APCO (Association of Public
Safety Communications Officers)
This is extremely important in multi-agency and
multi-jurisdiction incidents. Otherwise an incident
may become a modern day Tower of Babel. Believe it
or not, I know of an EMS unit that uses amateur CW "Q
signs" in voice. ("QSL" had replaced "10-4").
Even hams don't do that! (Or do they?)
Carried to an extreme, one could argue that "Station
14" is a code. Where is Station 14? Is there
more than one station with that nomenclature? Does
everyone know that?
"Limit the use of discipline-specific jargon,
especially on interdisciplinary incidents."
This is often overlooked. This is not, however,
an absolute prohibition on "discipline-specific
jargon" (Although I abhor the word jargon.)
It simply says to limit the use of it. Doctors and nurses
will always use "discipline-specific terminology" in
messages between themselves. (SOB is one
"word". Three letters. Much shorter than
spelling out SHORTNESS OF BREATH in voice/phonetics or
sending it in Morse.) So will pilots, sailors, fire
fighters and law enforcement officers. (ETA is one
"word". Three letters. Much shorter that
spelling out ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL [four
words] in voice/phonetics or Morse. And, skilled radio
operators will continue to use standardized prosigns and prowords.
COMMON SENSE MUST PREVAIL!
To be fair, we suspect that the "Do not
use radio codes, agency-specific codes, or jargon"
clause was inserted by someone who has had the misfortune of
listening to some "good ol' boys" on a VHF repeater
or on the 75 meter 'phone band using "good ol' boy"
jargon. E.g. - "Hey, you old reprobate!. How the
hell are you? I'm still kickin' by golly!" (And all the
time sounding like he has a mouth full of marbles.)
We make a distinction between the language and/or terminology
that radio operators use to talk to each other (e.g. - prosigns
and prowords), and the choice of words used in a message
TEXT. Prowords, "Q signs" and other prosigns, ham
jargon and lingo has no place in a message text. In fact,
WRRL does not recommend the use of ARL NUMBERED
RADIOGRAM "codes". Most hams have to look them up
anyway. But we do say that all operators should know
about them. Sooner or later, they will deliver traffic that
includes one or more ARL NUMBERED RADIOGRAM. Always keep an
ARRL FSD-3 form handy.
Skilled radio operators should NEVER
modify, change, or attempt to "improve" any message
text, (or the preamble) any more that a postal clerk would open an
envelope and change a message or change the
"class" of a piece of mail! It is none of our
business what the message says or if it makes sense to us!
As emcomm traffic handlers, our job is to relay and/or deliver all
messages exactly as they were originated.
HOWEVER, IF (somewhere along
the line) a traffic operator determines that something is
very wrong, the proper procedure is to not forward the traffic
(a wrong message potentially could have drastic results), but
instead originate a SERVICE MESSAGE back to the station
of origin.
I often hear comments such as: "The RADIOGRAM format is
too complicated to learn." What is so complicated
about one line preamble with six or eight simple
pieces of key information (to ensure that the message is delivered
and recorded), an address and telephone number, a short message,
and a signature? There is nothing more simple and
"plain" than a well composed message TEXT
transmitted using the universal RADIOGRAM format*.
Here are five examples of "plain English" or
"clear text" message texts:
HOUSE BURNED TO GROUND X
SEND MONEY
SEND 500 VICTIM SHELTER KIT
TO BEAVER COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS BY
0800 TOMORROW
NEED TWO TYPE FOUR ARCTS
X ADVISE AVAILABILITY
SEND CARRIER BATTLE GROUP TO
SOUTH PACIFIC
NUTS
(The last is a famous one word message sent by General McAuliffe
in 1944 in response to a German demand for
surrender.)
Learn more about General McAuliffe at: www.csamerican.com/Doc.asp?doc=mcauliffe
* "The
universal RADIOGRAM format" is just
that. It is NOT an "ARRL", "NTS",
"WRRL", or a "ham radio" format.
It was in use long before any of these
organizations.
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THE “TRAFFIC HANDLER’S MANTRA”
(Recite often to help remember the eight parts in preamble):
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy •
Priority • Traffic • Delayed”
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority •
Traffic • Delayed”
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority •
Traffic • Delayed”
NUMBER • PRECEDENCE • HX
• STATION OF ORIGIN • CHECK
• PLACE OF ORIGIN • TIME •
DATE
To help you to memorize the
eight parts of the preamble, RECITE the "Traffic
Handlers Mantra" often:
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy •
Priority • Traffic • Delayed”
ASSESS your current traffic handling skill,
take the "TRAFFIC HANDLER’S CHALLENGE"
at: www.emcomm.org
(main page)
