WELCOME TO THE EMERGCOM ECHO!


This introduction is posted concurrently with the rules on the
first day of every month to familiarize newcomers with the echo and
to provide them a little more information than is available from
the rules.  

EMergcom is an echo for anyone who works in the field of emergency
and/or disaster radio communications.  THIs includes first
responders; public safety dispatchers; ham radio operators; search
& rescue team members and volunteers with organizations such as
react.  

fIdonet has a few echoes dedicated to radio communications, but
most are geared to other radio activities.  therefore, I began the
emergcom echo to give interested parties a place to discuss tools
and techniques that are beneficial to emergency and disaster
communicators.  

Amateur radio offers some distinct advantages for volunteer
emergency and disaster communicators over other services.  First
and foremost, we have a wider range of frequencies and modes
available, allowing us to offer worldwide regional or local
communications no matter the time of
year or other factors.  When the infrastructure fails we have the
tools available to get the job done. NO other service offers the
same degree of flexibility and adaptability.  The flip side
of that coin is that amateur radio operators who wish to be
involved should be willing to acquire training, primarily
in the various operating disciplines and modes they may need
to use to get the job done.

emergency communications professionals may need to work with
volunteers during a disaster, and the aim of the EMERGCOM echo is
to provide tools techniques and information which will aid
communicators from different services in working together smoothly. 

     WHen communicating in emergency and disaster situations using
voice the prudent operator should always forego the Q signs 10
codes and other jargon.  Plain language works best and is
understood by all.  THe operator you must communicate with might
not understand "qth" or "10-22" etcetera.  Leave it out and use 

"what is your location?"

"I shall disregard."

     Having said this we still should remember that certain words
and phrases have universal acceptance among radio communicators,
whether they be military aero controllers or firefighters'
dispatchers.   thanks to TV and the movies however these have been
abused and their understanding muted in the minds of the public.  
SO to help dispel the myths we'll list them below:
NOte that those most often abused are marked with an asterisk.


All after:  Used to get fills when copying record traffic, advising
the transmitting station that you need all after the word or group
stated.  This group will be the last group you copied correctly.

All before:  AS in the example above.  

*break:  1.  An indicator that the sending radio operator will
break at this point to allow the receiving operator a chance to get
any fills or catch up.  
   2.  USed when finished with one station on a net and commencing
to communicate with another as in "break with you."

Please note that the so-called "double break" to signify an
emergency is not universally recognized as is often thought.  It is
an amateur radio affectation, I think imported from CB.  HOwever it
is recognized as the quick and dirty "I have an emergency" signal
for voice comms on amateur radio.   Using "break break" will
immediately gain the attention of net stations.
MOst other services recognize the pro signs "mayday" or
"panpan" (pronounced pon pon) however.

I say again:  Used when retransmitting a group or phrase.

*Out:  I have finished my communication with you.  (When used by net
control is not necessarily permission to leave the net unless
explicitly stated.)

*Over:  I have finished my transmission and expect a reply from you.
Please note that "over" and "out" are mutually exclusive and only
used together by communicators in bad war movies.

RELAY  (QNB on CW) Act as intermediary between stations.
      Also, carry traffic between destinations (QSP on CW).

RE-LIST  Place a dispatched message back on the net list.

*Roger:  I received and understood your last transmission.  Does not
mean yes.   

Wilco:  Will comply with your request.  IF you have received
instructions from NCS and will comply  with  them then to indicate
that you received understood and will comply with them the phrase
"roger wilco" might be appropriate.  However, it is quite
redundant, as "wilco" would suffice as it indicates that of
course you received your instructions.

Above all:  Learn and use the standard ITU phonetic alphabet.
LEarn it, love it!  THough some agencies adopt their own there is a
reason the ITU phonetic alphabet was developed and is still used.

FInally, once again thanks for reading, and participating.
TEll us about your organization's drills, what works, what
doesn't.  WE can all learn from each other's experiences.


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 * Origin: Emergcom echo moderator (1:116/901)