EMC317 Operations Techniques 2 To: Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin To: Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio By: Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services EMC317 Operations Techniques 2 For release 11/26/01 (continuation of a five-part series by Bill Ozment, W6LSW.) "EXCEPTIONS OR VARIATIONS 1. It is sometimes permissible to omit the call designator of the station you are calling BUT only after communications have been established and no confusion will occur. Don't waste time, by using superfluous call signs. 2. The term "THIS IS" is used to separate the FROM and TO call signs. If, and only if, confusion will not result, omitting the "THIS IS" phrase is permissible. 3. If you are the calling station and you omit your own tactical call sign, you can create confusion. In certain situation, such as quick replies between operators, it can be accomplished without confusion. You must NOT use this simplification where messages can be interpreted incorrectly. 4. Elimination of the words "OVER" and "OUT" is possible where it doesn't introduce problems. Unkeying after your message implies "OVER". To comply with FCC regulations, you must give your FCC assigned call every ten minutes OR at the end of a series of exchange communications, whichever comes first. Giving your call sign can imply an "OUT" ending. Should giving your call cause any confusion, do not hesitate to add the word "OUT". In HF single-sideband radio, it IS necessary to say the word "OVER". RADIO PROCEDURES DURING EMERGENCIES 1. Identify yourself at the beginning of each transmission especially where confusion may result if omitted. 2. Identification is a requirement of the FCC. Stations must Give a complete station identification at least once in a 10-minute operating period, particularly when tactical calls are being used. 3. Listen before transmitting. Be sure you are not on the air with someone else. 4. Know what you are going to say before you push the mike button; in other words, engage your brain before you put your mouth in gear. 5. Hold the transmit button down for at least a second before beginning your message to insure that the first part of your message is not cut off. 6. TALK ACROSS THE FACE OF YOUR MICROPHONE. This technique makes the communications more understandable. In other words, hold the face of the microphone almost at a right angle to your face." (To be continued) --------- Send any bulletin topics/articles to cary_mangum@oes.ca.gov To get the bulletin each week send a blank e-mail message to to subscribe, or to to unsubscribe. You'll get a confirmation message to which you must reply in order for the command to "take." Bulletins archives: ACS Web page: http://acs.oes.ca.gov/ ftp.ucsd.edu/emcomm or ftp.oes.ca.gov/ACS/EMCOMM and a telephone BBS 916-262-0856 (graphical & standard interface). EOM