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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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 may also be used to contact SurfCom
110907

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Thank you