EMC318 Operations Techniques 3 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 EMC318 Operations Techniques 3 For release 12/3/01 (Radio Procedures During Emergencies - continued) "7. Speak slowly, distinctly, clearly, and do not let your voice trail off at the end of words or sentences. Give each and every word equal force. For some this takes a lot of practice and conscious effort but do it. 8. Never acknowledge calls or instructions unless you understand the call or instructions perfectly. If you do not understand, ask for a repeat. 9. When you have understood the message, acknowledge the receipt with the words "copy", "received" or "acknowledged." The word "copy" is preferred and NEVER the word "QSL." 10. The word "break" is never used UNLESS there is an emergency. Give you call letters to gain access to a net. 11. Always acknowledge calls and instructions. Nothing is more disruptive to the smooth flow of communications than dead silence in response to a message. If you cannot copy or respond to the call immediately, then tell the caller to say again or stand by. Otherwise, acknowledge each call immediately. 12. Under stress, many operators have a tendency to talk too fast. ACCURACY FIRST, SPEED SECOND. 13. At times, radio conditions are poor and words must be overly exaggerated to be understandable. In general, speak very slowly and distinctly to carry through static and weak signals. 14. If your are relaying a message for another person, be sure you repeat the message exactly, word for word as it is given to you. If it makes no sense to you, get an explanation before you put it on the air. If necessary, refer the message back to the originator for clarifications. 15. There is no place for "Q" signals during official and emergency communications. They are too easily misunderstood, rarely save time, and often result in errors. 16. Do not act as a relay station unless Net Control, or another radio station, asks for a relay -- and you can fulfill the requirement with your station. 17. When transmitting numbers (house numbers, street & telephone numbers, etc.), always transmit number sequences as a series of individual numbers. Never say numbers in combinations." Continues next week --------- 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