Radio Communications for CERT members CERT EMCOMM 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 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 situations o Provide opportunities for further participation in radio communications o Provide tools and materials for self-study o Encourage CERT members to obtain an FCC amateur license 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 WR4U.NET

Who should attend? Any CERT team member who wants to increase his/her knowledge of radio communications WR4U.NET

What will I learn? Part I 6 pm-6:30pm o What is “Radio” ? Part II 6:30 pm – 6:45 pm o Introduction to HAM radio Part III 7 pm-7:45 pm o Amateur Radio in Emergency Services Part IV Q&A 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 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 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 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 WR4U.NET

Every home should have weather radio! 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, DirecTV, Dish Network, Muzak, DMX Music, Music Choice and all other DBS providers have been required to participate since May 31, 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 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 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 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 WR4U.NET

FRS, MURS, GMRS FRS – Family Radio Service o FM UHF No license requiredl MURS – Multi-Use Radio Service o Multiple Modes possible – No License required GMRS – General Mobile Radio Service o 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) 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 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… 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 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” WR4U.NET

Radio, Radio 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.. o Technician o General o Extra WR4U.NET

Technician 35 questions on the test. Passing grade is 26 correct Priveleges o All VHF and UHF privileges, with some HF privileges 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 WR4U.NET

General 35 questions on the test. Passing grade is 26 correct. Privileges are all VHF, UHF, and most HF privileges WR4U.NET

Amateur Extra 50 questions on exam. Passing grade is 37 correct. Amateur Extras enjoy all amateur privileges WR4U.NET

What do Hams Do? Talking Sending Byte-ing Building Watching Emergency Comminications and Public Service WR4U.NET

Emergency Response Organizations ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Service o Organized by the ARRL o RACES – Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service o Works primarily with civil defense agencies SATERN – Salvation Army Team Emergency Network o HWN – Hurricane Watch Net o Works closely with the national hurricane center Skywarn – Severe Weather Watch and Reporting System o Works closely with the national weather service WR4U.NET

What is the message? Who? What? Where? When? WR4U.NET

ARRL RADIOGRAM WR4U.NET

Radio Communications for CERT members CERT EMCOMM WR4U.NET