LISTEN FIRST!: Do not immediately "jump" into the
NET unless you have emergency traffic.
When called, be sure to state your call sign with Phonetics. This
aids in immediate identification and reduces air repeat time.
NEVER leave your home or work unless NET Control has an urgent
need to request you to do so, do not do anything "ON YOUR
OWN"! This is especially true if ESDA has not requested support
communications to the area. Again, DO NOT ENDANGER YOURSELF OR
OTHERS BY RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY ON YOUR OWN!
Paper /Pad/Pencil-Pen/Map: even with the advent of electronic planners, there is no substitute for the paper and pad mode of operation. Instructions from NET CONTROL and/or requests for relay from other stations (Police, Fire, ESDA, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc.) can become pure trauma if you are trying to "remember" what was needed/requested. Amateur Radio has been a very professional means of getting the message through for years and this is true because of information ACCURACY.
CONDUCT: Remember YOU are representing several areas. First, you are representing the Amateur Radio community. Secondly, you are representing McHenry County ESDA. Thirdly, you are representing YOURSELF AS AN INDIVIDUAL. Professionalism both ON the air and in person reflects on ALL THREE AREAS. Remember the News Media is everywhere in an Emergency scenario, do not make comments or act in a manner that would adversely affect us all. NEVER ASSUME! Also ask NET CONTROL when in doubt. A large SCANNER audience is out there, especially during times of an emergency.
THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK- think how it will sound to others.
This is NOT the time for idle chit-chat jargon, or "funnies"
on the air.
When making an inquiry on the NET frequency, use PLAIN TEXT English,
do not use CW phrases such as QRV, QTH, or QRU. Some operators
not associated with CW
will become confused and cause unnecessary delays by repeats.
(Much of above courtesy of Dale Wentz - KB9JJA St. Clair County,
IL,ARES,RACES)
KNOW YOUR RADIO! Disable any automatic repeater offset,
be able to enter a simplex frequency "on the fly," change
power levels, utilize battery saver modes, and so on.
You may want to make up a "Cheat Sheet" of procedures
and settings. Keep a copy in your car!
A fully charged "12V" battery will read about 13.7V.
Below 13V, time to recharge.
Check your manual to find out the minimum voltage your radio will
operate on.
A deep cycle battery will give about 200-300 deep charge/discharge
cycles.
A standard auto battery will give about 50 cycles.
Have spare fuses for all 12v equipment. Many of the "cigarette
lighter" adapters have a fuse in the tip.
Have RF adapters to allow any radio to be attached to any antenna.
A spare antenna, such as a Ground Plane, J-pole, or small Yagi,
stored inside
with sufficient coax to reach your operating position would be
useful in case severe weather harvested your antenna farm!
Some selected resources ....
McHenry County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA)
Woodstock, IL 815-338-6400 www.co.mchenry.il.us
Barry Valentine KB9SMH
Robert Ellsworth KB9SMI
Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov
American Red Cross www.redcross.org
Wendell Smith N9REP 815-455-1175 wendell@mc.net
Jim Rospopo KE4CON 815-334-8219 jrospopo@iname.com
McHenry County Wireless Association (MCWA) www.mcwa.org
American Radio Relay League (ARRL) 860-594-0259 www.arrl.org/
Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) Milwaukee, WI 414-358-0333 www.aesham.com