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Through
written evaluation, the applicant will demonstrate: 2. A basic knowledge of radio codes and procedures.
SAR Radio Communication Procedures These procedures are to be used for Search and Rescue radio communication. They are intended to provide clear and concise communication between trail teams, base camp and other SAR personnel. Radios may be either SAR radios or amateur (ham) radios. Remember, the world is listening to what we say. It is more important to listen than to talk. The most easily understood messages are short and concise. Compose complex messages before transmission, avoid long messages. Aim to be easily understood. Think before talking. State a short summary and then follow with more details as requested. Avoid 10-codes and other jargon (except for the below listed pro-words). Avoid monopolizing a channel, leave silence between transmissions so that others may communicate. 1. Determine if the message is really necessary. 2. Listen to see if the channel is busy. Wait until another communication is finished. 3. Call the destination station and give your tactical
callsign: Do not give a
go ahead until you are ready to copy
a message. 4. When the destination answers, start your message by
stating your purpose, e.g. 5. State your message, speaking slowly. 6. Repeat numeric values: Since anybody can be listening, do not report any injury or death or refer to bodies or corpses in plain language.
RECEIVING A MESSAGE If possible, write down messages to be passed to other
personnel. If a message is not
completely received, ask for repeat: "Say again". Spell out easily misunderstood names and words using the
international phonetic alphabet below. "Subject's name is Sundahl, spelled
Sierra
FORMAL MESSAGES Base camp will usually log all message traffic. When a formal message is received, it will be repeated back to assure correctness. Keep formal messages short and concise. FREQUENCIES AND CHANNELS SAR CHANNELS Oregon SAR radios use 155.805 MHz as the primary operating channel Do not transmit on any other channels. Some SAR radios may have other public safety and law enforcement channels. AMATEUR RADIO (HAM) FREQUENCIES Amateur radio repeaters are used for communication between
base camp, EOC ( With a technician license, members can use VHF and UHF
amateur radio repeaters to contact the sheriff's office EOC and other amateurs.
SAR OPERATING PROCEDURES 1. Before a team leaves for the field, a radio check should be performed for each radio. A radio check consists of a call to somebody close by and receiving a re-ply that transmission is OK. 2. When a radio is received, an extra battery should be obtained if possible. 3. Before leaving, set up a schedule for periodic team check in. For missions expected to last less than four hours, one radio in a team is left on receive continuously. On longer missions, agree upon a time schedule when teams will turn on a radio and check in. 4. Normally there is only one radio operator per team. Even if a team has more than one radio, only one should be on at a time. The team radio operator always speaks only for the team leader. Otherwise confusion about team status may result. TACTICAL CALLSIGNS During a mission, each SAR team is assigned a tactical
callsign , e.g. "Base camp", "Team 2", "Relay 1". RADIO OPERATION 1. A radio usually has Volume, Squelch and Channel knobs. The Volume control usually turns on the radio. The Squelch should be adjusted just beyond the point where static is silenced. 2. Keep the antenna vertical and away from metallic objects. Hold the antenna as high as possible and between you and your destination. Hold the microphone several inches away from your mouth. Speak sideways across the mike, not directly into it. 3. VHF radio transmission can vary greatly depending upon location. If transmission is poor, trying moving a few feet. Keep trying a variety of nearby locations. Try improving the radio's ground by holding the metal handle or case against your cheek, a metal pack frame or a sheet of aluminum foil. SAR radios operate best on a clear line-of-sight. Transmission can be difficult from the bottom of a canyon. You may have to climb up a ridge in order to get a better line-of-sight. 4. If your destination does not respond, ask for a relay
from another station. Sometimes in
order to improve communication, a permanent relay may be stationed at a 5. If communication is difficult, repeat back the message you heard and have the sender confirm that it is correct. Compose short and concise messages before sending. 6. Operate away from groups of people to avoid background chatter and signal absorption. 7. Wait before replying. Then press the Push-to-Talk button for a second before talking. Let the destination hear your first word. 8. Speak slowly with a firm voice. Enunciate well, but don't shout, even in a noisy environment. 9. Relax before sending your message, don't rush. Let your destination understand the message the first time. 10.Use 24 hour (military) local time.
11.Periodically check the radio to see that it is turned on and still on the correct channel. Turn down the squelch and verify that static is heard. If a radio needs to be turned off to conserve battery power, set up a schedule for regular check in. Try to keep radios dry. Put the radio in a plastic bag in wet conditions. 12.During a mission, teams should check in with a position report to base camp or the EOC at least once an hour or whenever a position is changed. 13.Weak radio batteries may have to be warmed up in a pocket or sleeping bag. Batteries may also recover somewhat after several hours rest. 14.Some radios may have low/high power controls. Use low power to conserve battery power unless high power is required for clear communication. BREAKING INTO A COMMUNICATION If you have an urgent message, you may have to break into a
communication. If your signal is weaker than the other parties, you will have to
wait for a pause in their communication. Wait
for a pause and then quickly say "BREAK" or "BREAK BREAK"
before the next party starts talking. Parties in a communication must allow
several seconds before replying in order to allow interruptions for urgent or
emergency messages. If a break is
heard, the replying party says PUSH TO TALK CLICK CODES If your message cannot be understood due to poor transmission, you may be asked to reply to questions via Push-to-Talk button clicks. 1 click - Negative 2 clicks - Affirmative 3 clicks - I require assistance 4 clicks - I have an emergency RADIO COMMUNICATION PRO-WORDS Pro-words are radio communication action words. They are a shorthand used for clear and concise communication. Affirmative - Yes Break, Break-Break - Used to interrupt a communication in progress. Break-break - Also indicates an emergency. Clear - End of communication and continuing to monitor this channel (frequency). No answer is expected. Correction - The previous communication was incorrect. Follow with the correct information. Decimal - Decimal point (in a number). Go ahead - Send the next part of your message. How copy? - Do you understand my communication? I say again - I will repeat my last words (message). Monitoring - Will continue to listen to this channel (frequency). Negative - No Off the air - No longer monitoring this channel. Over - End of transmission, please reply. Ready to copy? - Are you ready to copy my message? Received - Message received correctly. Does not imply compliance or that the intent of the message was understood. Relay - Send a received message to another station. Roger - OK, understood, will comply. Say again - Repeat the last communication. Speak slower - From now on, speak at a slower pace. Spelled - The previous word will be spelled letter by letter, often using the phonetic alphabet. Standby - Wait for further communication. Do not transmit until requested. Standing by - Waiting for further communication. This is (call) - Identify yourself with your tactical callsign. Understood - Message received and understood. Does not imply compliance. Will comply - Will comply with instructions.
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