Public Safety Radio System Radio Operations

How do I use a 2-way Radio? Different makes and models of radios vary, so… Read the instructions Become familiar with the controls on your radio! 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Anatomy Power On-Off switch Is combined with volume control on some models Or push-button on others First of all, make sure the radio is turned on 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Anatomy Channel Selector Select assigned channel “Up-Down” arrows Or a rotating “Knob” Make sure the radio is on the correct bank of channels if applicable 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Anatomy Volume control Adjust the volume control until you can hear other users 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Anatomy Squelch control Either a concentric ring under the Volume control or a separate knob of its own May be set by push buttons Open until you hear white noise Close just until noise disappears 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Anatomy Push-To-Talk (PTT) Switch To speak press the Push-To-Talk button, wait then talk Speak in a normal tone To listen, just let go Listen more than you talk! 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Push-To-Talk…PAUSE Wait a fraction of a second after pushing the “talk” button and before speaking This avoids “clipping” off first syllable as radio changes over from its receive state to transmit 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Anatomy Antenna (flexible or telescoping) Extend fully Hold vertical (best reception) Replace or repair if visibly damaged 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Privacy Tones are not Private Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch (CTCSS) Tones don’t make your conversation private Tone use only limits what you hear They enable several groups to use the same channel without hearing each other 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications 10

When Do You Speak? Speak only if you have to Listen don’t talk over others Wait until others have finished Think about what you will say Use plain language Keep it short! 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Operating Wait to be recognized before speaking Don't relay information that must be copied until certain that you have the other's attention Acknowledge transmissions to you Dispatch then knows you are ready to continue with your assignment, releasing the frequency This avoids having to repeat the message. 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Operating Answer questions directly; do not explain If more information is vital to ensure that your information is fully understood, then be brief Let Dispatch or the requestor ask for details 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Checks When your radio requires a reliability check, follow this procedure: 1. Call another unit, identify yourself and request a radio check. 2. The radio check consists of : “<ID of Unit being called>, THIS IS <your unit ID> RADIO CHECK HOW COPY? OVER.” 3. Radio checks should not last more than 10 seconds. Before going on a mission ensure that your radio has fresh batteries. Replace batteries before every mission. Check radio function before you go out of voice contact range. Keep radio checks brief and simple. 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Checks LOUD AND CLEAR means GOOD READABLE means Excellent copy with no noise GOOD READABLE means Good copy, with slight noise FAIR READABLE means Fair copy, occasional fills are needed WEAK READABLE means Weak copy, frequent fills are needed WEAK UNREADABLE means Unable to copy, a relay is required. Ham radio operators use a numeric scale to rate Readability, Signal Strength and Tone Quality, of radio transmissions, a “FIVE-NINE” signal is “full quieting” with no noise. We want you to use plain language instead. You may hear ex- military use the ITU phonetics, i.e. “I copy LIMA CHARLIE” just so you know. Next slide> 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Review - To call someone SAY the unit ID of the person you want to call, Then say ‘THIS IS’ . . . Followed by “<your ID> Then say, “OVER>” Example: “Buchanan County, this is Winthrop Tanker, Over” 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Acknowledge Calls To You When you hear a call to you reply: “This is” followed by “<your ID>” Tell the unit calling you that you are ready to receive their message by saying: ‘Go ahead’ “This is Independence Ladder, go ahead” 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Don't speak louder in a noisy environment If you speak louder than is needed for normal speech, the radio will distort your voice, reducing intelligibility. 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

In Noisy Environments Preventive Steps: Use earphone or headset (if you have one) Turn down volume - don’t add to noise level! Shield microphone from the wind Speak across the microphone Use a normal speaking voice 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Unit Identification Unit IDs are used to establish initial contact and again when the communication is ended. 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Unit IDs Identify yourself by your assigned ID Unit IDs enable Dispatch to manage tasks or personnel without regard to who is using the radio, so events can be logged more easily Use your Unit ID Consistently Contact Dispatch or others by Theirs Listen for Yours 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Tactical Call Signs Assigned by Net Control Operator / Incident Command Based on function and location Names are not needed Tactical call signs do not change for duration of assignment 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - 22

Tactical Call Signs Fixed Stations - Identify by their geographic Name and Function, i.e. “Fair Oaks Command” Portable or mobile units - Identify by an easily recognized, unique identifier describing their assignment, i.e. “Search Team One” 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - 23

Net Operations Net Control Operator Radio “traffic cop” Coordinates radio traffic Duties: Direct you to call Direct you to stand by Prioritize calls based on nature of message Direct you to a different channel 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision -

What is a Directed or Controlled Net? Some one “takes command” to control / manage what is going on Radio users must call “Net Control” to get permission before calling anyone else Use a Controlled Net when more than four people are using one channel at the same time. 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Control of Communications In communication between a portable or mobile unit and a fixed location (such as a command post) the FIXED station controls communication in all matters relating to: Priority and timing of radio transmission The choice of working radio channel The duration and suspension of work Except in case of distress, life-safety or urgency communications. In communications between a fixed or stationary unit and a portable or mobile unit, the fixed station always acts as the “control” station. 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Multiple Station Calls If the command post or other facility needs to contact more than one unit simultaneously, the unit ID’s of all stations to be contacted may be listed in any convenient sequence followed by he prowords “THIS IS” and the facility ID. 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Why A Controlled Net? It enables the person in charge to: Prioritize resource requests Quickly handle multiple situations Log what happens 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Participating in a Controlled Net Respond only to Net Control Get permission before contacting anyone Answer promptly Monitor the radio continuously Answer immediately if you are called Don’t leave the air without checking out! Otherwise, Net Control wastes time trying to call or locate you when you are not there. 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Operating Use plain language only Use short simple phrases No 10-codes or jargon ! Avoid technical terminology unless it is operationally necessary! Use short simple phrases Short transmissions help the listener 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Radio Operating Use the Echo technique Repeat critical information Clarify (if needed) Confirm correct 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications

Failure of Communication When contact with the command post fails on an assigned frequency, a mobile or portable unit should try to establish contact on another working frequency appropriate to the area of operations. (Follow the communication plan) When normal communication cannot be established between a fixed location to a mobile or portable unit, the fixed station should try to relay the message via any other unit copying, which may be able to establish communication. 2/22/2013 Radio Operations Revision - CERT Communications