Emergency Communications (Voice) for Everyone. What is Emergency Communications? Emergency...
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Transcript of Emergency Communications (Voice) for Everyone. What is Emergency Communications? Emergency...
Emergency Communications
(Voice)for
Everyone
What is Emergency Communications?
Emergency Communications is when a critical communications system failure puts the public at risk.
September 11, 2001
Northeast US Power Outage 2003
Hurricane Katrina 2005
Hawaii Earthquake 2006
Wireless Voice Communications
Cell PhoneSatellite PhoneCBFRSGMRSAmateur Radio
Cell Phone
Shared infrastructure with Telephone (landlines) When telephones are out, cell phones usually are too
Short range (Cell tower must be relatively close) Battery life limited Call volume overload very common in emergencies Cell phone inexpensive $ “Air Time” usage can get expensive
Satellite Phone
Utilizes Satellites orbiting Earth Requires working telephone at other end Battery life limited, cannot receive calls when “off” Call volume overload possible in emergencies Coverage includes entire United States Cannot be used indoors Satellite phones expensive $$$ “Air Time” usage is very expensive
CB
Citizens Band Radios Been around for years Radio Equipment: not expensive $$ 5 watts legal limit
Range: 4-5 mile range (normally) 40 Channels
Channel 9 – for Emergencies only FCC license not required Most conversations not fit for family
consumption!
FRS
Family Radio Service Radio Equipment: Inexpensive $ Millions in use! Very low power – ½ watt
range (1-2 miles unobstructed) 14 channels No FCC license required
GMRS
General Mobile Radio Service Readily available Radio equipment: Not very expensive $$ Power: 5 watts maximum
Range: 5-25 miles• Extended by Repeaters
Channels 7 shared FRS channels plus… 8 GMRS Repeater channels
FCC License required Covers the whole extended family $85 for 5 years
Amateur Radio (‘Hams’)
FCC License and call sign required to transmit on Amateur Radio Bands (no cost)
Written Examination ($14) required for license Technician General (plus Morse Code requirement) Amateur Extra
Lots of Amateur Radio Frequencies Power: 1,500 watts on some bands Range: worldwide on some bands Wide range of cost for equipment, hand held
radio can be relatively inexpensive $$$
Emergency CommunicationsAmateur Radio in Action
Hurricane Katrina - September 2005 Northeast blackout - August 2003 Shuttle Columbia recovery effort - February 2003 World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks-
September 2001 Hurricane Floyd - September 1999 Oklahoma City Bombing - April 1995
Amateur Radio Operator WTC 2001
Radio Basics (GMRS)
Repeaters Duplex vs Simplex Privacy Tones (PL) Normal Radio Etiquette Emergency Communications Etiquette GMRS Call Sign Required GMRS Net GMRS Radio (one example)
What is a Repeater?
A Repeater rebroadcasts the radio signal, thus increasing the distance you can communicate.
Duplex: GMRS Repeaters
Channels Listen Freq Talk Freq 1 462.5500 MHz 467.5500 MHz 2 462.5750 MHz 467.5750 MHz 3 462.6000 MHz 467.6000 MHz 4 462.6250 MHz 467.6250 MHz 5 462.6500 MHz 467.6500 MHz 6 462.6750 MHz 467.6750 MHz 7 462.7000 MHz 467.7000 MHz 8 462.7250 MHz 467.7250 MHz
Simplex: GMRS & FRS Shared Freq
Channels Listen Freq & Talk Freq
FRS-1 462.5625 MHz National SOS Channel
FRS-2 462.5875 MHz
FRS-3 462.6125 MHz
FRS-4 462.6375 MHz
FRS-5 462.6625 MHz
FRS-6 462.6875 MHz
FRS-7 462.7125 MHz
(GMRS 5 Watts Allowed )
Privacy Tones
Privacy Tones or Privacy Codes or PL or CTCSS or Tone Squelch
Like an Electronic Filter
•You do not hear them
•But they can still hear you
Privacy Tones
Repeater (Duplex) Standardized for LV Valley
PT: 141.3 Hz on Talk Freq
(Required for Repeaters to Hear You!)
PT: 141.3 Hz on Listen Freq (Filters out others talking)
FRS Shared Channels (Simplex)
No Privacy Tones – Recommended
Las Vegas Valley GMRS Repeaters
GMRS Repeater Channel #6National Calling FrequencyREACT (LVMPD Volunteer Org)
• Monitoring
• Dispatch REACT personnelNot for normal chit-chatMove to another GMRS Repeater
Frequency
GMRS Repeaters
GMRS repeaters are private propertyGMRS frequencies are shared
frequencies, but repeaters are not Use of repeaters is with owners
permission
GMRS Communications Etiquette
Listen before you transmit.
Make sure you aren’t interrupting a conversation.
GMRS Communications Etiquette
Do not use the radio to advertise the sale of goods
or services.
GMRS Communications Etiquette
Use lowest power needed to communicateFRS (1/2 watt)GMRS simplexGMRS repeater
GMRS Communications Etiquette
Do not use obscene, indecent, or profane words, language,
or meaning.
Emergency Communications Etiquette
Good News - You’ll be heard by anyone monitoring the radio frequency! This increases your chances of getting the help you need.
Bad News - You’ll be heard by anyone monitoring the radio frequency! No radio communication is truly private, so don’t broadcast sensitive information.
Emergency Communications Etiquette
Use plain language.
Although you may know the meanings of all the “10 codes” and other radio jargon, the folks you’re trying to talk to may not, or they may know a different meaning altogether.
Emergency Communications Etiquette
If you must interrupt for a bona fide emergency, say “Break for a medical emergency” or other appropriate language. The other parties should yield the frequency to you or attempt to assist.
GMRS Call Sign Requirement
GMRS requires FCC Call Sign
Every GMRS station must transmit a station identification:
(1) Following the transmission of communications or a series of communications; and
(2) Every 15 minutes during a long transmission.
(FCC code Part 95.119)
GMRS Net
Every Monday night Check-ins start around 7:15 pm Currently on GMRS Repeater channel #7
(462.7000 MHz)
Great time to test your radio equipment on the GMRS repeaters
Get to know other GMRS operators Some are with Volunteer Organizations Some are even Amateur Radio operators
GMRS Radio Equipment
ICOM IC-F21GM Radio 16 channels
• 8 GMRS Repeater Channels• 7 GMRS / FRS shared channels• Channel 16 – Scan all Channels
$130 at Amateur Electronics Supply Optional:
• Extra AA Battery Pack• Lithium-ion Battery Pack• Headset with Microphone
Emergency Communications is Teamwork
Medical & ReliefLaw EnforcementFire & Rescue
Dispatch Operators
Mobile Public(Highways & Roadways)
Neighborhoods
(Assist with Relay for the Public)
Radios:FRS * GMRS * CB
A.R.E.S. Monitor:> GMRS (REACT Repeater)> UHF/VHF (ARES Repeater)
Am Radio Operators
CERT Teams & Neighborhood Watch Block
Captains
10/22/200671
In times of Disaster…In times of Disaster…
…we are all fellow Americans!
THE END
QUESTIONS???