1. Use minimum power. Otherwise, especially in heavily populated areas, you may run the risk of keying more than one repeater, thus causing unnecessary QRM. Low power also conserves batteries.

2. Use simplex, whenever possible. ARRL recommends 146.52 MHz, but it's a good idea to have at least one other simplex channel available. Use a gain antenna at fixed locations for simplex operation.

3. Observe the "pause" procedure between exchanges. When it is your turn to transmit, after the
transmitting station stands by, count to two or three before pressing your transmit switch.

5. Monitor local ARES net frequency, when otherwise not busy.

6. Think before you talk. Anyone with an inexpensive public-service-band receiver can monitor. Stick to facts, control your emotions. Remember, during an emergency is the time when you are most apt to act and speak rashly.

7. Articulate, don't slur. Speak close to your mike, but talk across it, not into it. Keep your voice down.
In an emergency situation one often gets excited and tends to shout. Talk slowly, calmly--this is the mark
of an experienced communicator.