Radio Communications

1. Radio Communications V 1.0 Dec 2018

2. Radio • Any member of HASAR can be expected to operate the radio with proficiency and confidence. The Communications role of a Search Team can be filled by any member. • Radios used by HASAR are: • Handheld Search Team radio; • Mobile unit transceiver, for vehicles; • Marine VHF; • Aircraft VHF; • Command Post Radio

3. Anatomy of a radio • Transceiver – This is a radio that consists of 2 parts: 1 that emits a singal and 1 that receives it. • On/Off/Volume – 1 knob for both functions, to be turned clockwise for ON and volume. • Squelch – This setting affects the receiver sensitivity of the radio; turn the knob until you hear the squelch and then back off slowly until the noise is gone. • Note: Modern radios may have an automatic Squelch feature. • Push To Talk (PTT) – Activates the transmitter. Radios cannot talk and listen at the same time. • Doubling – When 2 transmissions occur at the same time. Results in garbled transmission. • Antenna – A short flexible PVC covered antenna used to transmit the signal.

4. Phonetics

5. Numbers # Word Pronunciation 0 Zero ZE ro 1 One Wun 2 Two Too 3 Three Tree 4 Four FOW er 5 Five Fife 6 Six Six 7 Seven SEV en 8 Eight Ait 9 Nine NIN er

6. Examples • Words • ETA = Echo Tango Alpha • Number • 44 – FOW er, FOW er • 5318 – Fife Tree Wun Ait • Decimal • DAY-CE-MAL • Dash • Tack

7. Prowords • ACKNOWLEDGE – An instruction to the addressee that the message was acknowledged. • AFFIRMATIVE– Yes • ALL AFTER – The portion of the message to which I have reference is all that which follows ______ • ANSWER AFTER – The station called is to answer after call sign ____ when answering transmissions • BREAK – I hereby indicate the separation of the text from other portions of the message • BREAK, BREAK, BREAK – Used to interrupt an ongoing conversation when have an urgent transmission only • CALL SIGN – The group that follows is a call sign • CORRECT – You are correct, or what you have transmitted is correct • CORRECTION – An error has been made in this transmission. Transmission will continue with the last work correctly transmitted _____

8. Prowards cont’d • DISREGARD THIS TRANSMISSION – OUT – This transmission is in error. Disregard it • FIGURES – Numerals or numbers to follow • FROM – The originator of this message is indicated by the address designator following • GRID – The portion following is a grid reference • I READ BACK – The following is my response to your instructions to read back • I SAY AGAIN – I am repeating transmission or portion indicated • I SPELL – I shall spell the next word phonetically • I VERIFY – That which follows has been verified at your request and is repeated – Used ONLY as a reply to VERIFY • MESSAGE – A message which requires recording is about to follow

9. Prowords Cont’d • NEGATIVE – No • NO DUFF – The message that follows is NOT an exercise message. Used for real emergencies • NOTHING HEARD – To be used when no reply is received from a called station • OUT – This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is required or expected • OVER – This is the end of my transmission to you and a response is necessary • READ BACK – Repeat this entire transmission back to me exactly as is • RELAY (TO) – Transmit this message to all addressees • RELAY THROUGH – Relay you message through call sign ______ • ROGER – I have received your last transmission satisfactorily. Does not mean yes

10. Prowords Cont’d • SAY AGAIN – Repeat all your last transmission. Followed by indentification data means Repeat_____ (Portion indicated). Never say REPEAT on the net • SILENCE, SILENCE, SILENCE – Cease transmissions on this net immediately. Silence will be maintained until lifted • SILENCE LIFTED – Silence is lifted • SPEAK SLOWER – Your transmission is too fast. Reduce speed of transmission • THIS IS – This transmission is from the station whose designator immediately follows • THROUGH ME – Relay your message through me • TIME – That which immediately follows is the time or date-time group of the message • TO – The addressees immediately following are addressed for the action

11. Prowords cont’d • UNKNOWN STATION – The identity of the station with whom I am attempting to establish communication is unknown • VERIFY – Verify entire message (or portion indicated) with the originator and send correct version • WAIT – I must pause for a few seconds • WAIT OUT – I must pause longer than a few seconds • WILCO – I have received your signal, understand it, and will comply. To be used only with the addressee. Never used ROGER with WILCO, as ROGER is part of the proword WILCO • WORD AFTER – The word of the message to which I have reference is that which follows • WORD BEFORE – The word of the message to which I have reference is that which precedes

12. Urgency signals • SECURITE (SEE CURI TAY) – This International Safety Signal indicates that a station is going to transmit a message concerning the safety of navigation or send important meteorological warnings that will, or can, affect a person or persons, aircraft or ships. The word is repeated three times, ceasing all traffic. • PAN PAN – This International Urgency Signal indicates the calling station has a very urgent message concerning the safety of a person, aircraft or ship. The words are repeated three times, ceasing all traffic. Once the situation is rectified the frequency will be released for normal usage. • MAYDAY – This International Distress Signal indicates a station is threatened by grave and immediate danger to life and property, and requires immediate assistance. The word is repeated three times and all traffic will cease. Any station in position to render assistance will do so.

13. PROTOCOLS • Listen before making a call over the net • Press the PTT button and wait a count or two before speaking • Speak slow, loud and clear • Start with callsign you are trying to reach and then your call sign • Ie “Command post – this is team 1” • Radio Checks • Loud and clear • Weak but clear • Breaking Up • Unreadable

14. Practice • Radio check between Command Post and A team

15. Practice • Radio check between Command Post and A team • “Command Post, this is Alpha team, over” • “Alpha Team, this is Command Post, over” • “Command Post, Alpha team for radio check, over” • “Alpha Team, Command Post reads you load and clear, over” • Command Post, Alpha team, I read you load and clear, out”

16. Practice • Radio the number 75

17. Practice • Radio the number 75 • “Figures seven, fife”

18. Practice • Radio the number 100

19. Practice • Radio the number 100 • “Figures one, zero, zero”

20. Practice • Radio a serious injury of a searcher to Command Post as B team

21. Practice • Radio a serious injury of a searcher to Command Post as B team • “MAY DAY, MAY DAY, MAY DAY – Command Post this is Bravo team. We have a searcher with serious injury and require immediate medical evacuation. No Duff.”