2010 - WR4U.NET

Radio Communications for

CERT membersCERT EMCOMM 101

2010 - WR4U.NET

Rich Marshall – WR4U• Licensed Extra Class Amateur Operator• AEC (Assistant Emergency Coordinator)

Jessamine Co. A.R.E.S.• President of J.A.W.S.

(Jessamine Amateur Wireless Society)• Member BARS (Bluegrass Amateur Radio Society)• Member WCARC

(Woodford County Amateur Radio Society)• Member A.R.R.L. (American Radio Relay League)• Member LFUCG C.E.R.T. EMAIL: rich@wr4u.net

2010 - WR4U.NET

What is this class?• An introduction to Emergency Radio Communications with an

emphasis on applications for CERT members.

• Goals:o Increase awareness of radio communications in

emergency situationso Provide opportunities for further participation

in radio communicationso Provide tools and materials for self-studyo Encourage CERT members to obtain an FCC

amateur license

2010 - WR4U.NET

What is this class NOT?

This is NOT a class to help you obtain an amateur radio license.

If you have an interest in obtaining an amateur radio license, I am an ARRL Volunteer License Instructor and a Volunteer Examiner with W5YI

If enough CERT team members have interest I will be glad to provide training and testing sessions to help anyone interested get licensed.

2010 - WR4U.NET

Who should attend?

• Any CERT team member who wants to increase his/her knowledge of radio communications.

2010 - WR4U.NET

What will I learn?

• Part I 6 pm-6:30pmoWhat is “Radio” ?

• Part II 6:30 pm – 6:45 pmo Introduction to HAM radio

• Part III 7 pm-7:45 pmoAmateur Radio in Emergency Services

• Part IV Q&A

2010 - WR4U.NET

Remember why we are here• CERT is about readiness, people helping people,

rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.

2010 - WR4U.NET

Always Remember:• The primary focus of the program is to establish a

self-help cadre of citizen volunteers with the emphasis on self-sufficiency for their families first, and their neighborhoods second. These volunteers can be deployed at anytime a large-scale natural, man-made or terrorist disaster affects our community. 

2010 - WR4U.NET

What is Radio?• Radio is the transmission of signals by modulation

of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space. Information is carried by systematically changing (modulating) some property of the radiated waves, such as amplitude, frequency, phase, or pulse width. When radio waves pass an electrical conductor, the oscillating fields induce an alternating current in the conductor. This can be detected and transformed into sound or other signals that carry information.

2010 - WR4U.NET

Part I – What is Radio?• Receivers, Transmitters and Transceivers

o Receive only radios• Weather Radio• AM/FM Radio, Digital TV, Satellite Digital Radio• SWL• Ham bands

o Transmitters• Commercial stations, Boat anchors, Morse Code

o Transceivers• Cell phone !!!• FRS, MURS, GMRS• CB Radio• Ham Radio• Commercial Radio

2010 - WR4U.NET

Every home should have weather radio!

• http://www.weather.gov/nwr/

2010 - WR4U.NET

AM/FM Radio, Digital TV, Satellite Digital Radio

• The EAS covers AM, FM and ACSSB(R) (LM(R)) radio, and VHF, UHF and cable television including low-power stations, Digital television and cable providers, along with XM and Sirius satellite radio, Worldspace, IBOC, DAB and digital radio broadcasters have been required to participate in the EAS since December 31, 2006.

DirecTV, Dish Network, Muzak, DMX Music, Music Choice and all other DBS providers have been required to participate since May 31, 2007.

2010 - WR4U.NET

SWL – Shortwave Radio

• Shortwave listening (abbreviated as SWLing) is the hobby of listening to shortwave radiobroadcasts located on frequencies between 1700 kHz and 30 MHz. Listeners range from casual users seeking international news and entertainment programming to hobbyists immersed in the technical aspects of radio reception and DXing. In some developing countries, shortwave listening enables remote communities to obtain regional programming traditionally provided by local medium wave broadcasters. Some estimates have placed the number of shortwave listeners worldwide in the millions.

2010 - WR4U.NET

Ham Band Receivers• UHF/VHF Scanners and receivers can monitor

local repeaters and simplex traffic• Some SWL receivers can receive Amateur Radio

broadcasts.• Ham Radio broadcasts can be AM, FM, SSB, CW,

or Digital. All modes can be listened to without a license, making it a great entry point to Amateur Radio.

2010 - WR4U.NET

Transmitters• Once common in Ham Radio to have separate

Transmitter/Receiver, now most rigs are Transceivers providing both transmit and receive functions in a single device.

• Broadcast stations use high powered transmitters.

• Morse code “QRP” rigs are often stand alone transmitters

• There are still many “boatanchor” transmitters in use in amateur radio.

2010 - WR4U.NET

Cell Phones• Cell phones are usually the first communication

device available for emergency communications. • During natural disasters and other emergencies

cell towers are often overloaded or offline, requiring the use of an alternative means of communication.

• THE SIMPLEST AND MOST CONVENIENT WAY TO GET THE MESSAGE THRU IS THE BEST

2010 - WR4U.NET

FRS, MURS, GMRS• FRS – Family Radio Service

o FM UHF No license requiredl

• MURS – Multi-Use Radio Serviceo Multiple Modes possible – No License required

• GMRS – General Mobile Radio Serviceo FM UHF – REQUIRES AN FCC LICENSE

• FRS/GMRS Dual Service Radios• Some manufacturers have received approval to

market radios that are certified for use in both the Family Radio Service (FRS) and the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS).

2010 - WR4U.NET

CB Radio• Still very popular among truckers and those who

spend a lot of time on the highway• Popularity has waned because of FRS, MURS, and

GMRS but still a valuable commnications tool

2010 - WR4U.NET

Ham Radio and Commercial Radio

• Bands typically cover “DC to Daylight”• Licenses are required for operation and are

managed by the Federal Comminications Commision (FCC)

• Includes radios licensed to first responders; police, fire, emergency services etc…

2010 - WR4U.NET

ANTENNAS• As important as the radio itself• There are receiving antennas, and dual purpose

antennas that send and receive• Antennas can be directional or omnidirectional• Antennas can provide gain, increasing the

effective distance for which a radio is effective• Antennas can be oriented for vertical, horizontal,

or in special cases circular polarity

2010 - WR4U.NET

Types of operation

• Base Station – Fixed Location• Mobile – Usually mounted in a

vehicle• Portable – Backpack or “Go Kit”• Handheld – Commonly referred

to as “HT” for “Handy Talkie”

2010 - WR4U.NET

Radio, Radio

2010 - WR4U.NET

Introduction to Ham Radio

• There are currently three classes of Amateur Radio Operators licenses being granted to new HAMS in the United States..

oTechnician oGeneraloExtra

2010 - WR4U.NET

Technician

• 35 questions on the test. Passing grade is 26 correct

• PrivelegesoAll VHF and UHF privileges, with

some HF privileges.

2010 - WR4U.NET

Techician Class• The technician license is the first license for most

newcomers to ham radio. There are more technician licenses than of any other class, nearly 50% of all hams

• To get your license you’ll need to pass a 35 question, multiple choice written exam on the rules of ham radio, simple operating procedures, and basic electronics.

2010 - WR4U.NET

General

• 35 questions on the test. Passing grade is 26 correct.

• Privileges are all VHF, UHF, and most HF privileges

2010 - WR4U.NET

Amateur Extra

• 50 questions on exam. Passing grade is 37 correct.

• Amateur Extras enjoy all amateur privileges.

2010 - WR4U.NET

What do Hams Do?• Talking • Sending• Byte-ing• Building• Watching• Emergency Comminications and Public Service

2010 - WR4U.NET

Emergency Response Organizations

• ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Serviceo Organized by the ARRLo www.arrl.org/ares

• RACES – Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Serviceo Works primarily with civil defense agencies

• SATERN – Salvation Army Team Emergency Networko www.satern.org

• HWN – Hurricane Watch Neto Works closely with the national hurricane center

• Skywarn – Severe Weather Watch and Reporting Systemo Works closely with the national weather service - www.skywarn.org

2010 - WR4U.NET

What is the message?

• Who?• What?• Where?• When?

2010 - WR4U.NET

ARRL RADIOGRAM

2010 - WR4U.NET

Radio Communications for

CERT membersCERT EMCOMM 101