St. Louis County ARES®: Training Main Page

Emergency Communicator's Notebook

Slow down and speak normally
Many times emergency operators get too excited and talk very fast, making it difficult for receiving stations to understand.
From Introduction to Emergency Communication course book
We are not "first responders"
Except in rare cases of chance, we will seldom be first on the scene. We do not need flashing lights and sirens, gold badges, or fancy uniforms. In most cases, beyond reporting the situation to the proper authorities, amateur radio operators have little usefulness as communicators at the very beginnings of an emergency.
From Introduction to Emergency Communication course book
Why you should take emergency communication courses
Students who successfully complete course activities and receive their certificates will indeed be ready for roles in situations where lives and property are at stake. Next time it just might be your town and family needing help. Being trained lends confidence and assures that all volunteers are working from the same guidelines.
From Introduction to Emergency Communication course book
ARES is not a club
ARES is not an organization itself but a volunteer program of the ARRL and consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.
From Introduction to Emergency Communication course book
Use phonetics for clarity
To reduce requests to repeat words, use phonetics anytime a word has an unusual or difficult spelling or may be easily misunderstood. Standard practice is to first say the word, say "I spell," and then spell the word phonetically. This lets the receiving station know we are about to spell the word he or she just heard.
From Introduction to Emergency Communication course book
Things to avoid saying on the air, Number 2
Avoid words or phrases that carry strong emotions. Most emergency situations are emotionally charged already, and we do not need to add to the problem. For instance, instead of saying, "horrific damage and people torn to bits," we might say "significant physical damage and serious personal injuries."
From Introduction to Emergency Communication course book
Prepare before the emergency, Part 2
Emergency communication planners should give advance thought to the kinds of information that might need to be passed by the agencies they serve.
From Introduction to Emergency Communication course book
Prepare before the emergency, Part 1
The best time to offer your services to an emergency communicaions group is well before any emergency occurs. This will allow you to obtain the proper training and credentials and to become known to the group's managers. When the time comes to serve, you will be ready for your job.
From Introduction to Emergency Communication course book
We have no authority at emergency sites
In most cases, we cannot make decisions for others, or make demands on the agency we serve or any other agency. The only decisions we can make are whether to participate or not, and those affecting our own health and safety.
From Introduction to Emergency Communication course book
Half of communicating is listening
Don't be so focussed on what you want to say that you don't listen to what the other fellow is saying. Listening for and hearing a message, then understanding it and properly responding to it are vital to effective emergency communications.
From Introduction to Emergency Communication course book
Learn to handle formal traffic
It's not as difficult as you might think, and there's a very good chance that you'll need to know how to do it during a deployment. Information about message handling can be found in the Training section of our Web site.
From ARECC Level I course book
Debrief after every activity
Schedule a timely debriefing after the emergency is over. You will want to know what the group did well and what areas could use improvement. You will also want to confirm that there are no issues still awaiting resolution. It is also a good idea to perform debriefings after training exercises.
From ARECC Level I course book
Keep a copy of the operating manual with your field transceiver
Your field radio may do something unexpected. You may need to use one of its special features. Your relief operator may not be familiar with how it works. There are dozens of reasons for keeping a copy of your field transceiver's operating manual nearby, preferably in a waterproof wrapper.
From ARECC Level I course book
Don't forget the duct tape!
Duct tape is a wonderful product that comes in handy during a disaster.
From Every "go-bag" list ever written
It doesn't always have to be amateur radio
Your primary job during a disaster will be communications. If the resources are available, it may be more efficient to use a telephone, a fax machine, or even email. It doesn't always have to be amateur radio.
From Introduction to Emergency Communications course book
Recheck
During an exercise or actual emergency, you may need to leave the primary frequency for a period of time. This may be to pass a formal message, make a repair to your station, or simply to take a break. Always let the net control operator know that you are leaving the frequency. When you return to the primary frequency, call "recheck" to let the net controller know that you are back.
From Gary Ross Hoffman, KB0H
Silicon spray
When setting up a field antenna, use a spray can of silicon to lubricate the ends of your mast sections. You will find it much easier to disconnect the sections when you are ready to tear down.
From Gary Ross Hoffman, KB0H
Cheap batteries are not cheap
Buying very cheap alkaline batteries in bulk may seem like a good idea, but you are likely to find that many of them have already started to decompose before you even open the wrappers. Stick with the better brands.
From Gary Ross Hoffman, KB0H
Wing nuts
One way to speed up the installation of an antenna in the field is to use wing nuts rather than regular nuts. You can tighten and loosen them by hand and don't have to worry whether or not you brought the correct size crescent wrench.
From Craig Hirsh, K0CMH
No Q-signals, please
Q-signals are very useful if you are sending Morse code, but often lead to confusion when used verbally. The idea that "everyone knows" certain Q-signals is a fallacy. Do not use them on voice channels during emergency communications.
From ARECC Level I course book
Talk slower
The biggest cause of errors during voice communications is one of the operators talking too fast. The receiving operator either misunderstands or misses parts of the message.
From ARECC Level I course book
Slow-charge your batteries
We've heard the term "fast and easy" so often that we've come to believe that's the best way to do things. It's not necessarily true, and it's certainly not true when it comes to charging your batteries. Fast chargers heat up your batteries and considerably shorten their lifespans. Ultimately, it is cheaper and more efficient to have several batteries on hand and rotate them through a slow charger.
From Gary Hoffman, KB0H
Listen to the Net Controller's instructions
One of the most common mistakes on regular nets is that operators assume that they know what the Net Controller is going to say. They miss the Net Controller's instructions and wind up giving inappropriate responses. This can be calamitous in an emergency situation. One way to develop the habit of paying attention is to write down the key elements of what the Net Controller is saying. You might be surprised to find that it's not always the same thing.
From Gary Hoffman, KB0H
Things to avoid saying on the air, Number 1
"Okay, I'll do it. But it's not actually my job. The guy who's supposed to do that is always away from the table doing something else." The other operator doesn't want to hear any of that and it ties up the frequency. Make a note of your complaints in your log and bring them up at the debriefing, but keep them off the air.
From Gary Hoffman, KB0H
The value of tactical call signs
Tactical call signs such as "Shelter 5", "Net Control", and "EOC" are descriptive and give immediate information. They can be very useful during planned events and during emergencies. Do not, however, forget to include your FCC call sign at ten minutes intervals and at the end of each contact.
From Various experienced operators
Moist wipes, the duct tape of personal hygiene
Imagine that you've just finished setting up your antenna in a particularly filthy environment. Or that you've just helped get the generator going. Or that you've just eaten a power bar and your hands are all sticky. Now you have to operate your station. Do you really want to get gunk all over your equipment? Suppose you have to take a message? What will IT look like once you had your dirty hands all over it? Operators who have worked long missions will tell you that having moist wipes in your bag is as important as having duct tape.
From Various experienced operators
Volunteer to work at public events
Working at events such as the MS 150 Bike Tour and Scottish Games gives you valuable field experience. You learn how to work within a team structure and what it's like to serve another organization. You'll probably also get a taste of the unexpected.
From ARECC Level I course book
Check that emergency gear
One problem almost every emergency communications operator encounters is finding that some part of his gear doesn't work. It usually happens at the worst possible time. It may be dead batteries, a non-functional piece of equipment, consumables that have gone bad, or just something that didn't work quite the way the operator thought it worked. Pick a date and mark it on your calendar. The weekend before Field Day or before the yearly Simulated Emergency Test would be good. Go through your emergency gear AND your regular equipment and make sure that everything is up to date and works.
From Gary Hoffman, KB0H
Never alter a message
Do not alter a message, even to correct a typographical error. What you think is right may actually be wrong. Moreover, any change you make might subtly alter the meaning of the message. Send or write it exactly as you receive it.
From ARECC Level I course book
Have something handy for your throat
Everyone who talks on the air has experienced a moment when he or she suddenly could not talk. It may have been due to a dry throat, a cough, congestion, or a number of other things. For extended sessions at the radio, have something to soothe your throat on hand. It could be a drink or something as simple as cough drops. Please note that if you do keep liquids nearby they should be in spill-proof containers.
From Gary Hoffman, KB0H
Do not use VOX
VOX stands for voice activated transmitter. VOX devices are handy gadgets, but should not be used in an emergency setting. Ambient noise might activate the transmitter and tie up the frequency. Also, you do not want your casual comments to go out over the air.
From ARECC Level I course book
What about your pets?
Have you included your pets in your emergency preparations plan? If not, please check www.fema.gov/kids/pets.htm. The site is designed to appeal to children, but the information is valuable to all pet owners.
From Federal Emergency Management Agency
You are your own safety officer
When setting up or operating a station of any size, the very first thing on your mind should be, is it safe? Am I going to irradiate anyone with RF energy? Could my battery spill acid? Can it fall on anyone's foot? Have I created an electrical hazard? Could anyone trip over my feedline or get poked in the eye by my antenna? The safety of your station is your responsibility. Make sure that it cannot harm you or anyone else.
From Gary Hoffman, KB0H
How close are you to the antenna?
You want your signals to reach other emergency operators, not irradiate YOU. This is especially true if you have boosted your power. Make sure your antenna is a safe distance away from your operating location and that its emissions are not directed at you.
From Gary Hoffman, KB0H
Every piece of equipment can break, including you
We all have limits. Do not overtax yourself during a deployment. Watch for signs of fatigue, stress, reactions to an adverse environment and so forth. Stop and take a break if you need one. It is better to have a silent radio than a fresh casualty.
From Gary Ross Hoffman, KB0H
Check the transceiver for overheating
Digital modes are great for sending forms, long lists, images and so forth. They also use a lot many more duty cycles of your transceiver than ordinary voice communications. Check to make sure that your rig is not overheating. Reduce the transmit power level if your unit feels hot.
From Gary Ross Hoffman, KB0H
Have fuses handy
Much of your equipment has one or more fuses. Check each item, make a list of the fuses you might need, then put together a small fuse kit. Be sure to replace any fuses you wind up using.
From Gary Ross Hoffman, KB0H
Alfa Romeo Echo Sierra
Use standard International Telecommunications Union phonetics (Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-Ray, Yankee, Zulu). Non-standard phonetics disrupt the communications flow by causing the other operator to pause for a moment to do a mental translation.
From ARRL Form FSD-220
Yes, you are ready to participate
Caution is good, but don't let it prevent you from participating and volunteering. Everyone makes mistakes on their first try, or first dozen tries, and everyone survives them. You will find that most other hams will be sympathetic and supportive of your efforts.
From Gary Ross Hoffman, KB0H
Don't avoid the exercises
It's a mistake to ignore an exercise because you are already familiar with what it is about. There are always surprises, new elements, and things that you've forgotten. Your presence will also help those participants who are less familiar with the what the exercise's concepts.
From Gary Ross Hoffman, KB0H
Keep learning
Everything is dynamic, including emergency communications. Procedures and techniques that were standard ten years ago are out of date today. Never sit back and feel that you've learned everything you'll need to know.
From Gary Ross Hoffman, KB0H
What is 'Emergency' and what is 'Priority' traffic?
Messages are prioritized as follows:
Emergency - A message having life-or-death urgency.
Priority - An important time-critical message.
Welfare - An inquiry as to the health and welfare of an individual in a disaster area, or a message from a disaster victim to friends and family.
Routine - Any message not meeting the requirements for a higher precedence.
From ARECC Level I course book
Your family comes first
Make sure to take care of your family's needs before responding to a deployment. You should develop a preparedness plan for them as well as for yourself. If your family is going to need you, don't leave.
From ARECC Level I course book
It's going to be noisy, so have a set of headphones
It's always a good idea to have a set of headphones around, but it may be an absolute necessity in an emergency. You may be placed in an area where other operators are working on different bands, you may be out in the open, or you may even be in the middle of a noisy shelter. A headset should be a vital part your equipment. You can't communicate if you can't hear.
From ARECC Level I course book
Mark your equipment
Be sure that every piece of your equipment is marked with at least your name and call sign. After the emergency, you'll want any property you left behind to find its way back to you.
From ARECC Level I course book
You brought your radio to the emergency, but will you be able to power it?
Antenna connectors are fairly generic, but what about power connections? ARES groups around the country use Anderson Powerpoles as the standard power connector on their equipment.
From ARECC Level I course book
Push THEN Talk
Pause for a second after keying up your transmitter. It may be slower to react than you realize.
From John Weis, N0UFB
Maintain a fire extinguisher near your battery charging station
This applies primarily to larger batteries, but every battery is a chemical device and you will be pumping energy into it. Having a fire extinguisher handy is a reasonable precaution.
From Jim Conley, N0OBG

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