WPV-CERT Advanced Training Radio/Emergency Communications

Instructors

Mark Dahlen, W6MDD Ray Rothrock, WB5NVN Emerson “Chip” Swan, KM6KSZ

Released: December 12, 2020 1 Welcome

• This is a Zoom Webinar. You will only see the presenters.

• Use the Q&A Section to type any questions.

• To ask a question verbally, click Raise Hand.

• This webinar is being recorded and will be posted to our YouTube Channel as well as the slide deck.

2 Agenda

Module 1 Module 2

• Importance of • WPV-CERT Radio Systems Communications • Communications Links • Radio Rules & Services • WPV-CERT Handheld Radios • Range & Repeaters • Division Radio System • Radio Functions • Command Post and Town EOC • Protocols and Best Practices to County Communications

• Amateur Radio as a hobby • Local Radio Groups & Practice Opportunities

3 Cell Phones, Internet Access

• We use our Smart Phones & Internet Access every day, but we can’t count on them after a disaster.

• History has shown these core communication systems are vulnerable and not reliable in major disasters.

• It may take days, weeks or even months to restore!

4 Disaster Communications Best Practices

• If landline or cell phones work, use them but expect them to be very busy.  Text messages use less bandwidth and may work better.

• Keep non-essentials calls to a minimum – free up the resources for others.

• Keep an AM/FM radio handy

• Portola Valley AM Radio – 1680 on your AM dial. 24x7 operational.

5 Basic Disaster Radio Communications

Your radio is one of your tools. Most tools require skill to use them well.

And remember…

Put more effort into solving the problem and less effort into communicating the problem to someone else.

6 The Rules

In the United State the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates all aspects of radio transmissions including:

• Who is eligible to use a radio service and for what purposes • What frequencies and transmission modes may be used • Technical specification for the radio equipment

• Fines up to $10,000 per day for unlicensed use of frequencies. • Possible criminal charges if you cause interference with other radio users, such as police/fire, etc.

7 FCC Defined Radio Services

Service Use License? Test? Repeaters? Family Radio Service Family Use No No No (FRS) General Mobile Radio General Use Per No Yes Service (GMRS) Household

Multi-Use Radio General Use No No No Service (MURS) Amateur (aka Ham) Hobbyists, Emergency Individual Yes Yes Public Safety Police/Fire/EMS Entity No Yes

Business/Industrial Commercial Entity No Yes

8 What is FRS?

• Family Radio Service (FRS) is an FM walkie-talkie radio service designed for short distance (<5 miles) personal communications.

• Uses channelized frequencies around 462 and 467 MHz in the UHF band

• There are 22 channels available.

• Sub-channels, also known as CTCSS or PL tones, are available on all models

• Antenna must be permanently attached.

• No license required. Typical 0.5 to 1 mile range.

9 What is GMRS?

• General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile FM UHF radio service designed for short distance two- way communications.

• A GMRS licensee may use a combination of portable, mobile, fixed and repeater stations.

• There are 22 simplex channels available on all radios and 8 repeater channels on some radios.

• Mobile and base stations are permitted to 50 watts of power and external antennas.

• Household GMRS licenses at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls, $70 for 10 years, new rules effective Sept 2017

10 New Rules for FRS/GMRS (Sept 2017)

• As of September 2017, manufacturers can not sell combined FRS/GMRS radios, as was very common with most “bubble pack” radios in the past.

• Radios sold prior to this date are now legal to use without a GMRS license at 2 watts or less.

• Use of these radios on GMRS repeater input frequencies still require a GMRS license.

11 What is MURS?

• Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) is a land-mobile FM VHF radio service designed for short distance two-way communications.

• 5 Channels in VHF Band

• External Antennas are allowed.

• A MURS transmitter must be certified by the FCC.

• No License Required

12 Handheld vs Mobile/Base Radios

• Handheld / Portable • Aka “Walkie-Talkie” or “HT” • < 10 W • Battery Powered • Integrated Antenna

• Mobile or Base Radio • Requires External Power Source • External Antenna (Car / Roof Top) • Higher Power (30+ Watts)

13 Radio Range

• VHF/UHF Radios are “line of sight”. Obstructions such as hills, mountains and buildings can block the signal.

• Radio to radio communications without the use of a repeater is called “Simplex”.

• Handheld simplex effective range is 0.5-3 miles but can be further under ideal conditions.

• Antenna Position and Height is often more important than power.

14 Radio Range & Repeaters

A radio repeater can extend the effective range to all over an area.

15 Radio Functions Power

Rechargeable Pack AA Battery Pack

16 Radio Functions

On - Off On-Off Volume & Volume

Volume On-Off & Volume

On-Off

17 Radio Functions Setting the Channel Channel Display

Channel Selection Channel Button Selection Knob

Channel Display

Channel Up-Down Buttons

18 Radio Functions Push-To-Talk (PTT)

Push To Talk Button

19 Questions?

Questions?

20 Who am I?

Function “Team One” Location “Woodside Command” Uniqueness “Portola Valley EOC” “Med Ops” “Engine 7” Tactical Call Sign

21 Using the radio

• Make sure you’re on the correct channel. • Test before venturing out. • Only one person can talk at a time- listen for other traffic and do not talk over others. • Use plain language. No “10 codes” or jargon. • Speak in a normal tone of voice and speak clearly. • Hold the radio vertically for best performance. • Key radio firmly BEFORE you talk, it takes a fraction of a second for it all to turn on

22 Radio Protocols

Calling another station  Think about what you are going to say, then press the PTT button. Use agreed-upon call signs: . “Command Post, this is Team 1” Wait for response which should be: . “Team 1, go ahead”

23 Radio Protocols

Closing the Loop  Acknowledge the other person: . “Team 1 Copies” . Or just “Copy” . “Thank you” . “Acknowledged” Etc.

24 Questions?

Questions?

25 What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together.

People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It's fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.

26 Getting your Amateur License

• License exams are administered (via Zoom) by Volunteer Examiners (VE), FCC controls the questions.

• Test is a blend of amateur radio principles, rules and mission, with a little tech.

• Online Study Resources:

• www.hamstudy.org

• www.kb6nu.com/study-guides/

• www.arrl.org/licensing-education-training

• A little study, take practice tests, schedule an exam.

27 End of Module 1

5 Minute Break

28 Radio Systems used by WPV-CERT

WPV-CERT Handheld Radios (GMRS Service) WPV-Ready Division Radios Amateur Radio (aka Ham Radio Service)

29 WPV-CERT Communications Links

County OES - Area EOC

Ham Radio Ham Radio

Woodside Emergency Portola Valley Emergency Ham Radio Operations Center (EOC) Ham Radio Operations Center (EOC) (Until EOC is (Until EOC is Ham Radio Operational) Operational)

LVHF-Ch 1 LVHF-Ch 2

WPV-CERT WPV-CERT WPV-CERT Woodside Branch PV Branch Skyline Branch Command Post LVHF-Ch 3 Command Post LVHF-Ch 3 Command Post

UHF 1st LVHF-Ch1 GMRS DMR 2nd Runner Rptr (Cmd/ Tac) 1st LVHF-Ch2

WPV-Ready CERT CERT Division Member Teams 12/6/2020 MDD

31 WPV-CERT Handheld Radios

• CERT Members to CERT Command Post Communication • Intra-Team Communications (Tactical Channels) • Stay up to date on changes to Staging and Command Post locations • Stay in touch with other CERT members when regular communications fail, such as a Public Safety Power Shutoffs

32 WPV-CERT Handheld Radios

• Video showing use of WPV-CERT Handheld Radio

33 WPV-CERT Handheld Radios

• YouTube WPV-CERT radio training video now available • Weekly Practice Sessions – Tuesdays at 7:30PM • Purchase your own radio at wpv-cert.org/buy • License available from the FCC at www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/fcc-form-605, 47 CFR Part 95

34 WPV-CERT Radio Channels

Repeater Channels

Woodside . WD1 (Ch 1) - Woodside Resource . WD2 (Ch 2) - Future Portola Valley . PV1 (Ch 3) - Primary Portola Valley Resource . PV2 (Ch 4) - Secondary Portola Valley Resource Skyline . Use PV1 (Channel 3) . SK1 (Ch5) - Future

35 WPV-CERT Radio Channels

Simplex Tactical Channels CTAC1 (Ch 11) CTAC2 (Ch 12) CTAC3 (Ch 13) CTAC4 (Ch 14) CTAC5 (Ch 15) CTAC6 (Ch 16)

Uses UHF Frequencies in Public Safety Pool through an agreement with the Red Cross

36 Questions?

Questions?

37 WPV-Ready Division Radio System WPV-Ready Division to Town EOC Radio Division Operations Center • One Radio Per Division • Usually kept at the Division Operations Center (DOC) or Division Leaders home

Town EOC WPV-CERT • 3 Channels (Woodside or PV) Command Post • Woodside • Portola Valley • Tactical

• Operates on Low-Band VHF at 50-70 Watts • Requires external antenna and 12V power source.

38 WPV-Ready Division Radio System

Demonstration of setting up Division Radio using a vehicle

39 Questions?

Questions?

40 San Mateo County Communications Unit

County OES – “Area EOC”

Ham Radio

Town Emergency Ham Radio Operations Center (EOC) (Until EOC is Operational)

WPV-CERT Branch Command Post

41 San Mateo County Communications Unit

County OES – “Area EOC”

Ham Radio

Town Emergency Ham Radio Operations Center (EOC) (Until EOC is Demonstration of CERT Command Operational) Post using Amateur Radio to communicate to “Area EOC”

WPV-CERT Branch Command Post

42 Questions?

Questions?

43 Forms

44 Town of Portola Valley AM Radio 1680

• AM radio broadcasting 24x7 on the frequency 1680 on the AM dial

• Most all cars (except Tesla) have an AM radio • Messages are managed by PV Town management • Messages are updated regularly during an emergency event

45 Portola Valley Amateur Radio Club (KM6DLG)

• Just people interested in radio communications. No dues. Open to all.

• Signup to send/receive relevant emails

• Club maintains three HAM radio repeaters and two GMRS repeaters.

• Details of the repeaters and their frequencies at the website: httt://radio.rothrockfamily.com

46 Radio “Nets”

Every Tuesday

7:30PM CERT Radio Practice (WD1 Ch#1 & PV1 Ch#3) 7:45PM WB5NVN Amateur/Ham (WB5NVN Ch#58) 8:00PM San Mateo Sheriff’s ACS Net (OESUHF Ch#50) Amateur/Ham

You can listen, but do not transmit if you don’t have an amateur license.

47 Questions?

Final Questions?

Thank you for attending!

48