Why Bother?

Ward/Branch Plan Guidelines Adaptable Practical Meet the needs of your ward or branch

Stake Comms Plan

Philosophies Communications, not radio Don’t assume others are able to communicate Don’t re-invent the wheel Plan for worst case, perform in any case Put plan into action

Stake Size About 200 miles wide, 100 miles tall Almost 17,000 square miles 10 th biggest “state” Bigger than many countries –Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, Jamaica, Falkland Islands, Puerto Rico Wards/Branches pretty big, too

Amateur (Ham) Radio

ARRL Club sponsors (Sioux City, Norfolk, Yankton) Biggest radio club in the U.S. License test proctors Community involvement Field day

Two-way Radio Experience ?

Repeaters

Radio types Handheld Mobile Base station Echolink

Readiness Levels Stage 0: Comms reliant on telephone grid, no knowledge of stake/ward/branch plan Stage 1: Comms reliant on telephone grid but know stake/ward/branch plan Stage 2: Alternative radio Stage 3: Licensed ham, access to radio Stage 4: Licensed ham, own radio

Ward Comms Plan

Stake Plan Disaster relief w/o telephone Can act under direction of local civil authorities Call communications specialist Plan how to communicate inside and outside of stake Put plan into practice

Stake Plan Specifics Goals General Training Equipment

Communications Center Clerk’s office Map Relatively quiet Close to stake offices Computer, desk space Radio reception unknown

Ward/Branch Plans-To Do Call emergency communications specialist Orange or red binder for plans, store in clerk’s office, notify membership Ask about interest in ham radio, get contact info for local non-member hams Plan for training Select communications center Get involved in community disaster relief

Getting Your License Go to Study Technician self-study guide Review question pool Take sample tests Take license exam