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K5wth

This evening we will be covering the subjects of, “THE BASICS OF COMMUNICATIONS”, “STATIONS WHO WANT TO HELP,” “HANDLING INTERFERENCE” and reasons’ for “MONTHLY REPORTS.”

We hams have a very rich history of providing communications services for the public. In fact our public service provides the FCC with reason to keep providing us with the continued opportunity to use the valuable frequencies which we operate on, and this is one of the reasons that you hear J.M. Rowe, our Section Emergency Coordinator asking for monthly reports every month. J.M. sends this info to ARRL HQ., they compile these reports from all around the United States and then at the proper time they send it in to the FCC. Without amateur radio operations’, public service efforts, and the hours spent on things like this net, ham radio would, quite simply, cease to exist!

Emergency situations occur every day in every Community, in every County, in every State and in every Nation. As we have heard many times, the term emergency refers to an unplanned event, series of events, or other extenuating circumstances’ that cause injury to or loss of life, or damage to property and or natural resources. At some time in our careers as amateur radio operators’, it is safe to say that we have directly participated in or monitored others who were actively involved in emergency communications.  So, if we are to continue to enjoy amateur radio and ARES/RACES we need to TRAIN so the Emergency Managers will call us during an emergency or disaster, and we need to turn in our monthly reports to J.M..

THE BASICS OF COMMUNICATIONS

 Communications, by definition, is a two way process. Successful communications involves a sender of information and one or more receivers of that information. If either of these parties do not do their part in the communicating process, their efforts will have been futile. Moreover, before the attempt to pass information takes place, “we must determine exactly what it is we wish to transmit” and “how to deliver it to the intended receiver.” While this sounds pretty simple, the most effective way to communicate information will involve clear, concise words and a good understanding of the message. Condensing your thoughts into those few, clear and concise words often take more than a bit of thought. Then, the method of transmission must be selected. On voice nets, that choice would appear to be pretty straightforward. There are times and situations, however, that dictate that the information be sent in written form, or possibly by one of the many Digital modes available to us. Once the mode of transmission has been chosen and the information is sent, the onus is then on the receiver. Did he or she not only receive the information correctly, but was the message clearly understood? Was the message interpreted correctly? And finally, there should be some sort of feedback system in place to ensure that the communications was a success. If any of these elements are missing from the communications process, we have not successfully conveyed the information. How we perform these task and our collective attention to detail, then, define our success as communicators.

STATIONS WHO WANT TO “HELP”

Most amateur radio operators, in times of emergencies and disasters, truly want to be a part of the “ACTION.” They want to help. Sadly, most have never been exposed to disciplined radio communications in the ARES/RACES organizations. Every emergency net I’ve ever heard or participated in has had offers of such help, “Just wanted you to know that we are riding along here if you need us,” or “can relay if you need me.” These folks are well meaning, and may be potential new members for the ARES/RACES, but they should be courteously and tactfully discouraged from transmitting unless asked to do so. I found the best way to handle these folks is to thank them for their offer of help, encourage them to monitor the frequency, and that you will call on them if you need their assistance. Depending upon the nets traffic load and propagation, you may or may not want to log these operators’ call signs, names and locations. Occasionally though, you may find yourself in a situation where you do need to call upon them to relay for you. In any event, do not ignore them. As a rule, until you acknowledge them they will not go away.

HANDLING INTERFERENCE

It is important to note, that while an ARES/RACES net may have operated for a considerable length of time on the same frequency, they have no more right to claim that frequency as theirs than does any other amateur. WE, meaning all of the amateur community, share our frequency spectrum on a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ type of non-interfering basis. Our net operations are important to us, but of little consequence to other users of the amateur bands. So, all net members should strive to achieve peaceful coexistence with other amateur band users during normal net operations.

On most occasions, other amateurs will respect the net’s operation and steer away from if not clear of the net. There are occasions, however, when unintentional and sadly, intentional interference to the net will occur. The best way to handle unintentional interference is for the Net Control Station or a station appointed by the NCS to establish communications with the interfering station, explain the situation, and politely request that they change frequencies. In most cases, that’s all that’s required. If the station, however, refuses to move, do not engage in an on the air argument. Such activities reflect poorly on all concerned, including ARES/RACES. If the interference is unidentified and obviously intentional, the interfering station should be completely ignored by all net participants. Usually, no comments regarding the interference, in most cases, lacking the ego stroking complaints, jammers will simply go away, probably to find someone else to annoy. In any event, no member of the ARES/RACES net should ever engage in any on the air verbal battle with other operators.

Written by Tom Harris, k5wth