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???