1. Public Safety Radio System Radio Operations

2. 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!
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. Radio Anatomy Volume control
Adjust the volume control until you can hear other users
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6. 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
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7. 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!
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8. 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
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9. Radio Anatomy Antenna (flexible or telescoping) Extend fully
Hold vertical (best reception)
Replace or repair if visibly damaged
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10. 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
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11. 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!
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12. 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.
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13. 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
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14. 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.
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15. 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>
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16. 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”
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17. 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”
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18. 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.
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19. 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
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20. Unit Identification
Unit IDs are used to establish initial contact and again when the communication is ended.
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21. 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
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22. 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
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23. 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”
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24. 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
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25. 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.
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26. 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.
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27. 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.
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28. Why A Controlled Net? It enables the person in charge to:
Prioritize resource requests
Quickly handle multiple situations
Log what happens
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29. 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.
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30. 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
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31. Radio Operating Use the Echo technique Repeat critical information
Clarify (if needed)
Confirm correct
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32. 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
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CERT Communications