Radio Operators Certificate PUAOPE013A Operate communications systems and equipment Ver 1.0 Sept 2012

Course Timings & Breaks Housekeeping Incident/injury notification Prerequisites Appeals process Enrolment forms Assembly Point Mobile phones Course Timings & Breaks Outline course timings and breaks Turn phone & pagers on silent Exits and OHS Amenities and facilities Facilities Exits

Learning outcomes SLSA radio system network and equipment Transmitting and receiving procedures and call signs Rescue emergency procedures Pre and post-patrol radio procedures Radio maintenance procedures

Check with your trainer for local radio channels Network overview Radios provide a quick and simple means of obtaining assistance during lifesaving operations UHF (ultra high frequencies) and VHF(very high frequencies) radios are used throughout surf lifesaving, as they have little static and clear sound UHF and VHF provides a simplex service (line of sight) as well as transmitting over long distances through repeaters More background information about radio operations is contained in Appendix 1 – Radio Basics of both the Delivery and Assessment Guide and Learner Guide. This is material that is not contained in the Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue manual. Go through the different channels at your lifesaving service and emphasize when and how to change channels and some issues that operators might face in finding the right channel (e.g. when to use a repeater channel versus a line of sight channel) Check with your trainer for local radio channels 5

Typical radio network Norah Head Repeater Surfcom & Avoca Repeater Dead spot Avoca Rpt Use B’Joey Surfcom & Avoca Repeater Barrenjoey Repeater 110907

Radio network equipment Portable Mobile –vehicle/craft mounted Base station Repeaters 110907

Portable radio equipment Off/On, volume LCD display Channels etc Channel select Up/down PTT Antenna Microphone Speaker Helmet (with comms) option Programmable buttons 110907

Radio technique Hold the handset approximately 10cm from your mouth and to the side Think about what you are going to say Ensure channel is not in use Press PTT button, wait 1-2 seconds, then speak slowly and clearly, don’t yell! Release PTT button when finished transmission Never press transmission button while receiving Shield microphone when talking into the wind Emphasise to participants some practical issues about using a radio – e.g. hold the aerial upright, don’t try and transmit from inside the Gear Shed or Clubhouse or under an awning.

Communications management SurfCom Provide general information to lifesaving services Gather & record communication data Coordinate major incidents Liaison with emergency services Club role Patrol Captain is in charge Keep communications brief & to the point Communications are recorded by SurfCom Written Radio Logs may be used locally Follow SOPs If your services doesn’t use SurfCom, you will need to explain to participants what the local SOPs are instead. Go through a typical example of how radio operators and SurfCom (or your local equivalent) interact to demonstrate SOPs. 110907

Call signs SurfCom, SurfCom, this is Bondi Patrol, over Technique: Say called station twice then state own call sign, e.g. SurfCom, SurfCom, this is Bondi Patrol, over Examples of call signs between patrol units: “Bondi patrol, Bondi patrol this is Bondi tower” “Bondi patrol, Bondi patrol this is Bondi IRB” “Bondi patrol, Bondi patrol this is Bondi ATV” “Bondi patrol, Bondi patrol this is Jet ski 3” Refer to local SOPs for local radio communications protocols This is where local call signs become important to communicate to participants. You will need your local SOPs for this. 110907

Prowords (Procedural words) Go ahead Proceed with transmission Stand By Wait for response Roger Received and understood Say again Transmit again- Do not use repeat Acknowledge Confirm message received/understood Correction Error, correct message is… Affirmative Yes Negative No, permission not granted Over I have finished and expect a reply Out, or Clear I have finished and don’t expect a reply 110907

Radio checks Example “North Steyne Patrol, North Steyne Patrol, this is North Steyne IRB, over” “North Steyne IRB, this is North Steyne patrol go ahead, over” “North Steyne patrol, request radio check over” “North Steyne IRB, read you loud and clear, out” Readability scale loud and clear - Can receive and understand Unreadable – Can receive but cannot understand Nothing heard – Squelch heard only Use local call signs. 110907

Incident procedures For any incident you should use the four P’s to pass on accurate information The four (4) P’s are: Position Problem People Progress Emergency call: “Rescue, Rescue, Rescue” Is used: To clear network of routine traffic To advise SurfCom, Club/s of an emergency situation Refer to your local SOPs for incident procedures. 110907

Radio problems Repeaters (try another channel) Network failure may include: Repeaters (try another channel) Transmission/signal jamming (try again later, move to higher/clearer ground) Electrical storms SLSA Policy 2.2 OH&S Lightning Policy Radio unit failure (do radio check) Landlines, mobiles and email may also be used to contact SurfCom 110907

Radio maintenance Damage to radio or antenna All radios should be kept as dry as possible. Check radios before and after use. Routine maintenance includes: Damage to radio or antenna Normal operation of controls & functions Sand penetration around battery and microphone water penetration Note: Sand and water penetration can be minimised by keeping radios in protective bags 110907

Radio equipment chargers Battery charging turn radio off before charging Consult club radio officer for procedures Charging indicator light Orange - charging Green - trickle Light out - no charge 110907

Emergency maintenance If the radio is dropped in water you must immediately: Turn off the radio Check for water penetration (radio/bag) Check for damage If water has penetrated: Remove from bag Remove battery and antenna Submerge in fresh water (1 min) Shake and pat dry, air dry out of sun Advise patrol capt/radio officer Record in appropriate log 110907

Practical Working in pairs(one person functioning as SurfCom operator) and using radios (training channels), each participant will: Conduct a pre operational check, switch on and select channel Simulated a sign on/ sign off (complete log if appropriate) Simulate an emergency call Return radio to charger 15

Topic summary The SLSA radio system network Radio and network components Basic transmitting and receiving procedures Rescue emergency procedures Pre-patrol and post-patrol procedures Routine maintenance and emergency maintenance procedures

Thank you