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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Communications Manual EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INTRODUCTORY NOTE With the advent of civil defense as a peacetime agency to provide services in natural disasters as well as those potentially resulting from enemy action, the function of the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps remains vital, especially in areas where civil defense organization has not reached its peak. We amateurs continue to carry on the disaster work which has been our tradition and heritage, in full cooperation with civil defense where possible. To do this effectively, AREC members should sign up in RACES as the opportunity affords. The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is an amateur service set up by the Federal Communications Commission and the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization in order to facilitate a smooth transition of amateur service toward Civil De- fense communications, from present peacetime operations into possible wartime operation. Regulations governing this service have now been included in FCC's Amateur Service regulations (Part 12) and appear in full in the ARRL License Manual. Segments of frequencies within the amateur bands have been set aside for use of amateurs operating in this service, which will require authorization separate from regular amateur operation. These segments are reproduced herewith so that the front cover of this booklet will be a readv reference to those frequencies available for specially-authorized amateur work in RACES. RACES Frequencies: (See FCC RACES Regulations for restrictions on use): 1800-2000 ke. (under present restrictions) 28.55-28.75 and 29.45-29.65 Me. 3500-3550 and 3984-4000 kc. 50.35-50.75 and 53.35-53.75 Me. 7097-7125 and 7245-7255 he. 53,300 ke. (spot frequency) 14,047-14,053 and 14,220-14, 230 kc. 145.17-145.71 and 146.79-147.33 Me. 21,047-21,053 he. 220-225 Me. 1750-1800 kc. (under Disaster Communications Service) Applications for authorizations to operate in RACES are processed at the various civil defense levels and by FCC, and a section on RACES is included in this booklet. Liberal references are made to a companion publication entitled "Operating An Amateur Radio Station," which contains much detail which thus need not be repeated herein. This publication is free upon request to all ARRL members. This booklet, along with "Operating An Amateur Radio Station," constitute the "bible" of the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps. Its contents are designed to present the best in organizational suggestions and recommendations in this field; but the details of any local organization are subject to local circumstances. To that end, the'contents of this booklet are broad enough and flexible enough so that any part or all of it, as necessary, can be applied in any particular case. Published primarily for the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps by the American Radio Relay League 38 LA SALLE ROAD, WEST HARTFORD 7, CONN., U.S.A. 1111u[cur Ulolergt.ov} 4 1111 a 10111icaIiU11 I,: ,,iar s,rIk(r,. I.veI% iiti,o_e~tl aina,tvn,,~iI(-II w r Antateur radio exists as a hubby because it or not a member of ARRL or any other local or qualifies as a service. Throughout our history, we national organization, is eligible for membership amateurs have established a reputation for emer- in the Emergency Corps. The only other qualifica- gency communication when and where it is tion is a sincere desire to serve. There are two needed most. At first this service was rendered grades of membership in the Corps: (a) Full spontaneously and on an individual basis. As time Membership, under which the applicant pledges progressed, the need for and value of advance active participation in periodic tests, and (b) preparedness became evident, resulting in the Supporting Membership, requiring only limited establishment of the Amateur Radio Emergency participation as time permits. The possession of Corps, the appointment of Emergency Coordina- emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is tors to head up local efforts, and, following World not a requirement for either grade. War II, the appointment of Section Emergency Emergency Corps activities in each ARRL Coordinators to take charge of the program with- Section (see section organization, p. 6 of any in their respective ARRL sections. issue of QST) are under the direction of the Sec- The Radio Amateur best justifies his existence tion Emergency Coordinator (SEC), appointed by the service he renders his community in times by the Section Communications Manager (SCM) of disaster and distress when all other media of as his representative in such matters. The ama- summoning assistance have failed. The pleasure teurs in each community within the Section (in he derives from the pursuit of his hobby during some cases counties are used as local areas rather normal times establishes a debit that he can offset than communities) register their facilities with only by his steadfast determination to be pre- the local Emergency Coordinator (EC) who, in pared and willing to be of service when disaster turn, represents the Amateur Service in its strikes. In the event of a communications emer- dealing with local civic and relief agencies. gency all amateurs are dedicated to serve in the The duties and obligations of these officials are public interest, within the limitations of their fully described in "Operating an Amateur Radio ability, to provide temporary communications for Station," pages 7 and 8. a stricken area until normal facilities are restored. When customary communications circuits are Official Contact interrupted or overloaded a communications One of the most important duties of the EC (at emergency is said'to exist. If such a condition of county or community level) and of the SEC (at interruption or overload is accompanied by gen- state or section level) is contact with officials of eral suffering on the part of the inhabitants of the the respective agencies to be served in emergen- affected region the pressure for the restoration of ties. There are many of these such as municipal communications is increased proportionally to officials and agencies, the Red Cross and in these the degree of suffering. Under such circumstances times of special importance, the Civil Defense the Amateur Service is frequently called upon to officials at all government levels. The wide-awake carry a portion of the traffic load until such time EC will contact as many as possible with a view as normal facilities are restored. toward acquainting as many people as possible, A tremendous increase in interest in emergency at official level, with the existence of the Emer- work has been noted since World War II. Accom- gency Corps, both locally and nationally, and of panying this has been a significant demand for its potentialities in providing communication dur- more information on how best to organize. There ing emergencies, Often, by such promotional con- is now also a new volume of correspondence direc- tact, it is possible to get a community plan started ted to ARRL in connection with pointing of our in which the many various agencies all participate emergency capabilities and organization toward to integrate and coordinate their communications civil defense requirements. Our participation in facilities for any emergency. Thus the EC is civil defense communication requires full unity primarily a promoter and only incidentally an and singleness of purpose; amateurs can best operator of an emergency station. His promo- serve and have their efforts inspire respect where tional efforts directed at lining Up local amateurs they are properly organized as one group in all in the AREC are directly related to his efforts to operational and administrative matters of interest persuade official disaster and relief agencies to to the local and national government officials con- plan to use the facilities of the AREC in emer- cerned with this work. While local requirements gencies. will differ, it is to our advantage in all phases of It is no easy matter to plan to serve all local amateur emergency work that we all be a part of agencies unless those agencies also coordinate the over-all organization - the Amateur Radio their facilities to work into a community emer- Emergency Corps. gency communications plan. In many cases, it is necessary to plan local AREC organizations The Amateur Radio Emergency Corps around those agencies who will cooperate, with- The Amateur Radio Emergency Corps is com- out, however, closing the door of flexibility to the posed of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily extent that the local AREC organization be- registered their qualifications and equipment for comes a part of only one or two agencies. The communication duty in the public service when 4mateur Radio Enier~g~encc Corps is or should be 2 a facility in itself, an emergence communications of a Radio Officer to effect direct supervision. facility which can be used by any and all local The Communications Plan is pre-requisite to agencies who wish to use it on a pre-arranged any RACES authorization. This Plan, once it basis. Many agencies wish to line up amateurs to has been drawn up in accordance with the perform specific duties for tliem, to the exclusion regulations [12.201 (i)] and approved by the of all other duties during emergencies. This re- local C.D. Director, along with the certification of sults in a scattering of the services performed, in a the Radio Officer (FCC Form 482) (12.213), is lack of coordination between agencies and ama- submitted to the state civil defense office for teur groups serving them, and in overall diminu- approval thence to OCDl\I and finally to FCC tion of the eventual service performed by and where it is recorded. Upon notification of credited to amateurs as amateurs. Emergency approval at all levels, applications for station Communication is a function of all community authorizations in this service can commence, and amateurs working together as a single strong such applications are sent direct to FCC. facility to serve all community emergency com- Station authorization applications are sub munication needs. mitted through the Radio Officer on FCC Fort t 481. No RACES station authorization may be The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service made except on his authority; all such applica- (RACES) tions are sent to FCC by him and authorizations As we prepare for the possibility of a third are returned by FCC to him for delivery to the world war, civil defense assumes a major role in applicant. our emergency preparations. At no time in its No special operator licenses are issued by history has the Amateur Service received as FCC for this service, but each operator must hold much recognition for its emergency community- written certification by the local civil defense tions potential as in the deliberations leading director as to his (the operator's) status, includ- up to establishment and implemention of the ing the fact that he is actually a part of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. This organization and has been cleared as to loyalty increasing tendency to recognize us for what we and general reliability. Any amateur operator are and wish to be - a communications service license, along with the above certification, is operating in the public interest -makes us sufficient qualification to operate in RACES. To swell with pride. A J)ittle pride is good for any supplement licensed amateurs, who it is expected organization, and wQ„arnateurs have a right to be may be in short supply, holders of third class proud of what we have acomplisbed. But pride commercial radiotelephone permits may be used of accomplishment, while a good thing, should to operate equipment in RACES, with the usual not be allowed to become a deterrent to further restrictions. accomplishment. Recognition means responsi- Most RACES organizations are set tip around hility - this time, as never before, in our own a central control station, usually located in a i,a,ne, public building and operating equipment owned The rules for RACES were promulgated by the city (town, county or other local author- by FCC as a sub-part of the presently-existing izing instrumentality) under the control of the amateur regulations (Part 12). What we have Radio Officer and licensed to him by call letters long known as our amateur regulations have separate from his own. Other equipment, been designated Sub-Part A. The RACES rules whether in the form of fixed or mobile units, can are Sub-Part B. Every AR.EC member should then operate under the same call followed by a study closely and become familiar with these unit number. The disadvantage to this system is rules; for civil defense, now our biggest function, that one person, the RO, is individually responsi- will become our only on-the-air function if we ble for the operation of every unit signing the are plunged into war. The RACES regulations call letters which are licensed to him; also that are printed in full in the ARRL License Manual, the organization would be totally without legal or copies can be obtained from the U.S. Govern- call letters should anything happen to him ment Printing Office, Washington, D. C. suddenly. Its principal advantage is in taking The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service advantage of the regulation permitting abbrevi- is a temporary service which operates on the ated identification [12.245 (a) (2) frequency segments indicated on the front cover Applying for as many station authorizations of this booklet on a shared basis with the regular as there are amateurs in the RACES organization amateur service until or unless an intensification is another method. Although there will be of the national emergency (e.g., war) requires many different call letters in use in this case casual amateur operation to cease. In such a much of the burden of responsibility is removed contingency, it is contemplated that RACES from the shoulders of the Radio Officer, and the will continue operation as required. The new individual amateur retains his own identity. service will be sponsored at local civil defense Where novices, technicians or third class per- levels by the duly-designated director of civil mittees 'are included in the operating staff, defense. It envisages (1) the establishment of these can be assigned unit numbers under the a local communications plan describing in detail various station licensees, or under the station how RACES will operate locally in the event of a license of the headquarters control station. In civil defense emergency, and (2) the appointment large cities particularly, it will be advantageous 3 h) have a nUioIer ,f different St titiOn liPenfteS. p~)Ile', the fire department the potter company, The Amateur Radio Service can aid the nation the telephone company, raihn.ads, hnc adcast sta- more adequately than other radio services with tions, western union, the vt rather bureau or ether which we will have liaison, in view of the fact agencies needing assistance. that the other services usually have their own "extra" load of specialized communications, Community Plan. The hest p,ssihle system is while the amateurs where properly organized a community plan providing for integration of all can drop casual responsibilities in favor of full community facilities for emergency communica- devotion to disaster communication needs. It is tion, the AREC serving as an important part of a responsibility for each of us to sign up and the overall plan. The "radio functional diagram" devote a part time interest in the necessary on page 4 of the booklet "Operating an Amateur tests, that we may be ready and that we be Radio Station" outlines the functional setup of credited with doing the most worthy communita- the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps. A suggest- tions job of which we are capable. ed community plan is diagrammed on the oppo- Red Cross Liaison. An official "understand- site page as an example for local organizers to follow has been in effect between the Red Cross and in setting their local community-wide solid- the wide Amateur Service for many years. This appears line Amateur service facilities are shown lins. line boxes, municipal services in broken lines. in the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Manual Note that the ARRL Emergency Coordinator, as (ARC 209) published by the Red Cross. This chairman of the local Emergency Planning Com- manual, for the guidance of Red Cross Chapters, mittee, maintains contact with the Municipal assigns the function of providing and maintaining Disaster Relief Committee (or whatever name), communication services to a subcommittee on and either through it or in addition to it, with the transportation and communication. In preparing various community agencies to be served. The to meet the needs for communications incident to Amateur Radio Control Center, having facilities a disaster relief operation, the subcommittee is for communication with all band-segment groups, charged with surveying all communications re- can be set up either at a central point to facilitate sources within a chapter jurisdiction to obtain contact with the various agencies to be served, or cooperation and to plan necessary coordination at the most favorably-located point propagation- and mobilization of appropriate facilities in an wise with sub-control centers at, the various emergency situation. The manual affirms the agency headquarters. Variations of this plan are understanding between the amateurs and the used in many communities. Red Cross and recommends that chapter officials establish liaison with local ECs. Advance Planning is Necessary Several amateur stations operated by amateur Individual preparedness and organization of radio clubs for the Red Cross have been tied in amateurs, community by community, are the with the Red Cross nationwide teletype system. most essential elements of a successfully-func- Any one of these can deliver traffic immediately tioning amateur emergency service. Unless each to American National Red Cross in Washington, individual attaches himself to community organ- Those most prominent are W9DUA (Springfield, ization and the support of local plans, our group 111), W6CXO (San Francisco), W3PZA (Wash- effort may fall short of its capabilities. ington)'and W2CRD (Syracuse, N. Y.). During times of emergency, these stations monitor the The chief lesson, from past emergencies, calls National Calling and Emergency Frequencies for support and membership of every active (see p. 7) for any calls. operator in the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps. In normal times, the Red Cross is the primary By such alignment with AREC, one justifies his disaster relief agency, and is therefore entitled to license as "in the public interest" and contributes our best possible arrangements. The Communica- to our emergency-readiness. Emergency-readiness tions Department policy is to create and extend contributes to public welfare as well as our self- effective emergency radio coverage to every pos- training and experimenting characteristics permit sible community and Red Cross Chapter juris- FCC to grant amateur licenses as of public value. diction, where advance preparedness may pay Once in the AREC you are on the "inside" in any dividends in the form of service. All amateurs are amateur-service plans worked out by your Emer- urged to seek the cooperation and assistance of gency Coordinator. Your local ARRL Coordina- the local Red Cross in setting up their local for or Hq. can provide appropriate forms. AREC. Other Liaison Contacts. There are many Three Phases of Emergency Planning other local agencies, both governmental and com- 1. There are two types of provisions to be made mercial, with which the community AREC group for emergency radio coverage: (a) that for local may establish contact and provide liaison. In any short-haul work, (b) that for necessary out-of-the- AREC organization, the greatest liaison and co- area or distant coverage. Emergency Coordinators ordination will inevitably be effected with that have to make plans to cover both cases for im- agency which is the most willing to cooperate. In plementation, separately or together, depending some communities, it has been found that the on the seriousness of the situation. most profitable tie-in has been made with the 2. In using radio in the simplest form of emer- 4 geney work, there is one objective: to estab- operating v.h.f. nets dedicate themselves 6 lish contact with an outside point to report emergency operation in the event of any publil difficulties, summon aid, or communicate int,el- need. The responsible net control stations will bl ligence of a limited character, when other means glad to assist the appropriate ARRL ECs tr fail or are unavailable. permit occasional exceptional tests as well a= 3. When a populated center has its communi- participation in all major Emergency Corp- cations crippled by causes that also disrupt trans- exercises. portation, food and water supply, and other H.F. Stations for Outside Contact. Local station, organized public services, there is a problem of working on lower amateur frequencies should bl maintaining necessary communications between included in every community plan, for contact t I workers within the area. outside points via the ARRL National Traflil System, and other h.f. traffic and emergence Short- Haul Work - Local Nets. Local emer- nets. It is not desirable to have too many station- gency networks should be established on a regular operating on h.f. in haphazard fashion when basis, wherever facilities permit, or at the very there is an emergency. In any major catastrophe least on a stand-by basis with monthly tests and designated stations should be manned by several simulated drills in all the larger cities. Some shifts of amateurs on a 24-hour basis, to avoid mobiles and portables usually are assigned to overworking one-man setups. cover points deemed strategically important by city officials for expected emergency use. Ordi- The Role of Amateur Communications narily local nets will use v.h.f, bands. Whether Conditions in emergency are such that every two meters or six meters or ten meters is used available channel must be used effectively. Natur- will depend on the community and the number ally the telephone and telegraph wires are going of voluntary amateur workers equipped on a to be used first when they are available for use. In common frequency. In very large cities it may be the interest of suppression of interference, radio justifiable to have local emergency nets using should not be used where wire service is available, more than one amateur frequency band, with except to line up additional avenues for com- proper provision for traffic exchanged through munication to fall back on as a situation worsens. common points. It is suggested that all regularly- Broadcasting stations are best only for trans- r- 1 N15,1NCIPAL 1 A.R.R.L. ;DISASTER RELIEF I COMMUNITY COMMITTEE EMERGENCY AMATEUR -----1--- COORDINATOR RADIO CONTROL (CHAIRMAN) CENTER I K _IVIL DEFENSE ' - - - _ - - __1 I (RACES) r ' I i RED CROS5 4 ASST. EC MEMBER STATI0N5:FIXED, 144-Mc. J ' 144 Mc. MOBILE, EMERGENCY PWRD. NET I 1 t i POLICE DEPT, t--------- ASST. EC I ' 50 Mc. A. R.E.C. MEMBERS 50 Mc. I i FIRE DEPT. i---------J ASST EC _.at i RADIO 28 Mc. A.R.E.C. MEMBERS FEE[- TELEPHONE ' EMERGENCY r'-- I PLANNING ' I r-------i COMMITTEE , COMPANY (EC & ASSTS) ASST. EC, i 7 Mc. A.R.E.C. MEMBERS 7 Mc. I r WESTERN ' UNION L _J ' ASST EC A.R.E.C. MEMBERS 3.8 Mc. 3.8 Mc. 'PHONE r i :BROADCAST STATIONS i A55T. EC AR E.C. MEMBERS 3.5 Mc. 3. S.MC. C. W. RAILROADS ~ _ ; EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS BY DESIGNATED STATIONS TO - ALL OUTSIDE POINTS VIA THE ~ OTHERS ---J PLAN FOR YOUR COMMUNITY ESTABLISHED AMATEUR `---_----J SERVICE TRAFFIC SYSTEM 5 mitting information to large groups of people. 1mergency Coordinator and his committee. This The chance that an amateur station will have to will enable them to activate themselves without transmit over the local broadcast station, or will delay upon being notified, and to know exactly have his station used in place of that station in what to do. The best planning often requires ex- emergency is extremely remote! Amateurs have temporaneous modifications when all stations de- important emergency functions, not in reaching pended upon are not available (which is usually the general public, but in handling necessary the case) when the real thing comes along. Know- point-to-point communications effectively. The ing just what the plan is and how it operates is agencies served in past emergencies tell us that one of the greatest assets to any local AREC they want message handling to be accurate, secret member, so that detailed explanations of modi6 and fast, and the messages reliably recorded in cations necessary in an emergency are not. re- writing whenever practicable. quired. Don't leave it all up to your EC and his Strive for Efficiency. Whatever happens in assistants. Know yourself what the plan is and emergency, you will find hysteria, and some ama- how it works, as well as the extent to which it is teurs who are activated by the thought that they flexible so that necessary modifications can be must be "sleepless heroes." Instead of operating made as the emergency progresses. almost all the local stations full time or more in In the Remote Emergency. Absolute silence, for emergencies, how much better it would be to man those not in the area itself, is most often the very the best located and best equipped stations, best form of cooperation - unless and until one suitable for the work in hand, and man these by definitely logs an emergency station giving a relief shifts of the best-qualified amateurs. This directive call for his very city. is the way to reduce interference and secure well On a repeated QRRR that goes unanswered, re- operated stations. mote stations should of course try to establish Select the Mode to Suit the Need. It is a. char- contact, to relay or assist as seems best after acteristic of operators, both those using 'phone ascertaining the nature of the problem. QRRR is and those using e.w., that they believe their a call for operators in an emergency situation only, modes of communications superior. For certain and operators misusing this call should be defin- specific purposes and distances one or the other itely referred to the definition of that call as may indeed be preferable. The merits of the use given in amateur literature. of each in a communications emergency should be evaluated imgYartially with a view to appor- General Considerations in Emergence tioning to each the type of work for which it is It is impossible to state exact rules to cover best suited. Long experience has developed the every situation that will arise. Principles that a,r(, following advantages: supported by discussion and advice which will For C.W.' lead amateur operators to use their receivers to a 1) Less QRM in most amateur bands. greater extent than mike or key, should add 2) Secrecy of communication - contents of creditably to future performance of radio ama- communications cannot be intercepted, teurs in emergencies. generally speaking, by the public, to start Use All Channels Intelligently. A hurricane or rumors or undue concern. flood brings conditions like war in some respects. 3) Sithpler transmitting equipment. The principle of effective military communication 4) Greater accuracy in record communications. is to use all channels intelligently without fear or 5) Longer range for a given amount of power. favoritism as efficiently as possible. As long ns For 'Phone: wire circuits function and no overload or dis- l ) More practical for mobile work. ruption occurs, the prudent coordinator will 2) More widespread availability of operators. merely marshal his forces and set in motion the 3) Faster communication for informal or plan of establishing schedules and nets in such "command" purposes. fashion as to be ready to act constructively as 4) More readily appreciated by the public. need arises. When actual need requires, the com- 5) Better suited to short-range work. municat.ion load may be diverted to radio and The well-balanced emergency organization will delays in establishment of the radio facility will have both c.w. and 'phone channels, in order to have been avoided. utilize the advantages of each as outlined above. Interference from outside stations handicaps Where a lack of either exists, of course it will be the fellow in the emergency area who has self- necessarv to make use of whatever is available, power and low power -but if this fellow uses but a great deal of efficiency is lost when there is judgment and places himself in the center of a. lack of coordination or liaison between the two e.w. band or ties in with his ARRL Section or types of operation in an emergency. Absolute State net on its frequency he often has no inter- impartiality, willingness to let performance ference at all. speak for itself - these are prime requisites if we Keep theQRM Level Down. The operator work- are to realize the best possible results in emer- ing under emergency conditions should establish gency communications. reliable contacts with stations as near to him as In the Local Emergency. As many amateurs as possible or at points logical for the handling of possible should be familiar with plans of the his traffic. Amarrun in localities remote from any 6 emergency should be asked to stand-by unless it is nerves on edge, it is little short, of criminal to seen they can assist better than others. As a rule it make a statement on the air without foundation is not necessary for stations hundreds of miles in authenticated fact. distant to make extended efforts for each emer- Authentication. Every message which pur- gency occasion. If these distant stations will be ports to be of air official nature should be written silent until called upon, and defer their discussion and signed. We recommend that amateurs link about a rumored emergency until afterward, sub- emergency stations direct to civil and military stituting a "learning by listening" attitude, the authorities, so that all messages derive from situation may be much more constructively reliable sources. handled. One or two stations guarding each emer- Broadcasting. Many amateur stations in an rency frequency to pipe down unthinking new- emergency situation have a tendency to emulate comers (who start to interfere) by asking their "broadcasting" techniques. While it is true that cooperation will usually be quite sufficient. the general public can listen to many of our Reduction of interference during emergencies transmissions, they ore riot and should not be is one of our greatest problems in emergency made for that purpose. Broadcast stations are operations, especially on the 'phone bands. Use of well equipped to perform any such service. Our v.h.f. for local'phone contact, or e.w. for recorded job is to communicate with each other, not with traffic will usually minimize this. But when it is the general public. necessary for important emergency communica- tion to be conducted on a crowded 'phone band, Emergency Nets the cooperation of casual operators is required. Emergency Nets have become active in many Since most of them are not deliberately interfer- areas - some local, some statewide, others cover- ing, they are glad to stand by or move to another ing an area larger than a state. All such nets have frequency when asked to do so. A member of the a common objective - preparation to handle net can be delegated the job of doing this (from communications during an emergency. Although in adjacent frequency) if he can be spared, or a details of operating procedure will vary according volunteer from outside the emergency area who to the circumstances of the net, there are certain reports his availability can be pressed into serv- ice. Requests to QSY should be made tactfully. Unless the emergQhey is FCC-declared, they do NA'T'IONAL CALLING AND not have to move, so ask them to do so, do not EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES (kc.) ,lernand it. 3550 3875 7100 7250 14,050 14,225 21,050 21,400 Q R R R 28,100 29,640 50,550 145,350 QRRR is the "official ARRL land SOS." It is a distress call for emergency use only, to be used only by a station During periods of communications monitor- definitely asking assistance! emergency these channels will be monitor- 3 g ed for emergency traffic. At other times Operators outside emergency zones, these frequencies can be used as general deprived of power in major floods and calling frequencies to expedite general other disasters, have in the past failed traffic movement between amateur sta- to appreciate adequately the problem tions. Emergency traffic has precedence. of battery- and low-powered stations After contact has been made the frequency trying to clear traffic and establish con- should be vacated immediately to accom- tact to "outside" points. It is all wrong modate other callers. The following are the National Calling for operators having picked up an in- and Emergency Frequencies for Canada: quiry message addressed to a point in a c.w. - 3535, 7050, 14,060; phone - 3765, devastated area to work themselves up 14,160, 28,250 ke. to the point of sending "CQ flood area" or sometimes even "QRRR." Listening and cooperating by keeping quiet are general precepts which may be followed to good practically always best for "outside advantage in all service networks. These are de- stationa until they are called for. tailed in full on pages 13 and 14 of the booklet "Operating an Amateur Radio Station." Rumors. In an emergency, addressed trans- In any emergency net, the ability to handle missions to amateurs (bulletins) should include third party message traffic promptly and effi- their source. They should be repeated word for ciently is a "must." Such ability does not come word, if at all, and should not be repeated without merely from reading up on the subject, but from specific authority for so doing. Rumors are constant practice in handling such traffic during started by expansion, deletion of amplifying or emergency drills and simulated tests. Full details modifying words, exaggeration or interpretation. on handling message traffic are included in the In an emergency situation, with everyone's booklet "Operating an Amateur Radio Station," v 7 F' L i pages 10 to 13 inclusive. This should be studied station equipment to use it in an emergency. The carefully in addition to the section on network "Mobile and Portable-Emergency Equipment" operation referred to above. chapter of the .4 RRL Radio Amateurs Handbook Equipment Considerations contains full details concerning the construction It is not to be expected that every amateur and use of such power supplies. will prepare himself for an emergency by having a FCC Emergency Declarations complete and separate self-powered station, al- Section 12.156 of the Amateur Rules and though a large number of individuals and groups Regulations sets down procedure for emergency do so. There is, however, no reason why any enter- declarations. Upon receipt of advices from the prising amateur cannot prepare his station for an FCC Engineer-in-Charge of the area concerned, emergency by having an emergency power supply FCC may designate an emergency area and ready and a quick means for utilizing all or part frequency segments or bands to be used ex- of his regular station equipment as an emergency- elusively for communications concerning the powered station. The emergency power supply emergency condition. Amateur stations desig- can be anything from a small vibrator supply nated (by FCC) may be called upon to assist in and/or batteries to a large gasoline-driven gen- spreading the word and in assisting to monitor erator. and warn non-complying stations. Such stations may operate within the emergency segments or Generally speaking, equipment most suitable bands, but preferably should operate on frequen- for emergency use is that equipment which con- ties just adjacent to these segments or bands, in tains the utmost in compactness, portability and order to avoid any possibility of QRM to versatility. Within these three requirements, emergency operation. In advising other stations emergency equipment is little different from any of the emergency, they will refer to Section regular station equipment. It is chiefly the power 12.156, the date of FCC's announcement, the supply which determines whether or not a piece area affected, and the bands or band segments of equipment is useful in emergencies. designated for exclusive emergency operation. Beyond giving full information, they should not Operation from a gasoline-driven generator can discuss the declaration, but inform FCC the be discounted, since normally such operation is identity of any amateur who fails or refuses to identical to that to be expected from the com- comply. mercial a.c. lines. The primary considerations These special conditions will apply until FCC concerning emergency power have to do with officially terminates the emergency declaration, batteries, including power supplies such as Amateurs desiring to request the declaration dynamotors and vibrapacks which operate from of such a state of emergency should communicate batteries. Once such a power supply is available, with the FCC Engineer-in Charge of the area it is usually a simple thing to adapt your regular concerned. Before Emergency PREPARE yourself by providing a transmitter-receiver setup together with an emergency power source upon which you can depend. TEST both the dependability of your emergency equipment and your own operating ability in the annual ARRL Simulated Emergency Test and the several other on-tbe-air contests, especially Field Day. REGISTER your facilities and your availability with your local ARRI, Emergency Coordinator. If your community has no EC, contact your local civic and relief agencies and explain to them what the Amateur Service offers the community in time of disaster. In Emergency LISTEN before you transmit. Never violate this principle. REPORT at once to your Emergency Coordinator so that lie will have up-to-the- minute data on the facilities available to him. Work with local civic and relief agencies as the EC suggests, offer these agencies your services directly in the absence of an EC. RESTRICT all on-the-air work in accordance with FCC regulations, Sec. 12.156, when- ever FCC "declares" a state of communications emergency. QRRR is the official ARRL"land SOS,"a distress call for emergency only. It is for use only by a station seeking assistance. RESPECT the fact that the success of the amateur effort in emergency depends largely on circuit discipline. The established Net Control Station should be the supreme authority for priority and traffic routing. COOPERATE with those we serve. Be ready to help, but stay off the air unless there is a specific job to be done that you can handle more efficiently than any other station. COPY all bulletins from W1AW. During time of emergency special bulletins will keep you posted on the latest developments. After Emergency REPORT to ARRL headquarters as soon as possible and as fully as possible so that the Amateur Service can receive full credit. Amateur Radio has won glowing public tribute in many major disasters since 1919. Maintain this record. 10%1 6 6D Printed in U. S. A.