BASIC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONING PROCEDURES

BASIC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

OPERATIONING PROCEDURES

A. If you or others need assistance after a man made or natural disaster event, use the three

Olympia Amateur Radio Society (OARS) ‘NT7H’ repeaters on these frequencies:

441.400+ 103.5PL (Primary), 147.360+ 103.5PL; and 224.460- 103.5PL

1. If the repeater is not functioning, then use the OARS REPEATER OUTPUT

frequency on SIMPLEX mode and ask for help. ( 441.400, or 147.360 103.5PL etc. )

2. On ANY net, you may be directed to another frequency to pass your traffic.

3. Due to your location, you may need to get another station to relay your message.

B. Next, follow this outline PRIOR to transmitting on any radio!

1. First and foremost, you do not have to be a member of any organization, club or

unit to ask for help over local repeaters or nets. You just need to be a licensed

Amateur ‘Ham” Radio Operator.

2. Check your immediate area for any safety hazards prior to transmitting.

3. Insure you are on the correct frequency, shift and/or tone access.

4. Stay calm. Know what you need to say before transmitting.

5. Listen to the frequency and don’t interrupt higher precedence emergency traffic.

6. Conserve power. Use lowest power setting to get the job done.

7. Keep transmissions short. Talk clearly so others can copy it the first time.

8. Have writing materials on hand to make a copy of messages sent, received, etc.

9. Print so others can easily read your hand writing!

10. Be prepared to be the Net Control Station at any time if your services are needed.

C. In case you cannot hit the OARS repeaters, try the Capital Peak Repeater, K7CPR, on

145.470- 100PL. This repeater will be used as a wide area District 3 Command Net for

ARES/RACES, so expect some delays in your messages or requests for assistance.

D. If you are concerned about other hams, and families, do not tie up the repeaters with

casual contacts ‘asking this or that’. Contact the NCS and follow their instructions as

to contacting others for welfare information.

E. Last, DO NOT PASS UNCONFIRMED INFORMATION! (i.e. rumors, comments,

etc.) Ask the other station passing the info where they got it from, etc. The last thing

we need on the air is to create more uncertainty in the local amateur radio community.

F. Do not tie up the frequencies asking about road conditions, etc. Tune into your local

EMERGENCY ALERT STATION (EAS), KGY 1240 AM. for local info.

G. Want to know more about Thurston County ARES emergency operations? Check