Emergency Communication Plan 1 Table of Contents HAM PLAN in Effect (v 1.3 12012013) .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Information Collection Form ................................................................................................................................................ 5 FEMA Regions (FR) and 10 region designation (I – X) ........................................................................................................... 6 Emergency Communications ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 In an extreme emergency condition: ................................................................................................................................... 7 Alternate OK monitoring / communicating frequencies: ..................................................................................................... 7 Weekly Check-in Group Meeting .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Alternate Network Plan ................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Standardized Frequencies and Modes ................................................................................................................................. 8 Nets and Network Etiquette ................................................................................................................................................. 9 RMS Winmor (email over radio) BBS System ....................................................................................................................... 9 ARRL Band Plan ................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Neighborhood Communications Plan ......................................................................................................................................... 12 Basic Communications Design ............................................................................................................................................ 12 Channel Plan ....................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Recommended Communications Equipment & Procedures .............................................................................................. 14 Simple Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Protection ................................................................................................................ 14 Simple Faraday cage ........................................................................................................................................................... 14 CB - North American/CEPT frequencies ............................................................................................................................. 15 Multi-Use Radio Service Frequencies - MURS .................................................................................................................... 16 FRS/GMRS Channels ........................................................................................................................................................... 17 Midland Extra Channels .................................................................................................................................................. 18 HAM Aides .................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Selecting a Band.................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Daytime HF Band Propagation ........................................................................................................................................... 19 VHF Daytime Propagation .................................................................................................................................................. 19 Digital Software (FREE): Fldigi ............................................................................................................................................. 20 RMS Express Winlink (FREE) ............................................................................................................................................... 20 Radio Programming software (FREE) .................................................................................................................................. 22 Skype software (FREE) ........................................................................................................................................................ 22 Upgrade your Ticket Training Software (FREE) ................................................................................................................... 23 Propagation Software (FREE) .............................................................................................................................................. 23 2 HFLink nets ......................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Digital Computer Setup Example ........................................................................................................................................ 23 Phonetic Alphabet / Morse Code ....................................................................................................................................... 24 Q Codes ............................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Slang Terms ......................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Morse Code Chart ............................................................................................................................................................... 25 LEARN MORSE CODE in one minute ! ................................................................................................................................. 26 Morse Trainer Software – Koch Method CW Trainer G4FON - (FREE) .............................................................................. 26 Game to learn Morse Code – from NSA.gov ...................................................................................................................... 26 Shortwave Listening ................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Basic Shortwave Radio Listening for Catastrophe Intelligence .......................................................................................... 27 Understanding the concept of shortwave bands ............................................................................................................... 27 Frequency Reference .......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Prime Time Shortwave is a listing of English shortwave broadcast schedules................................................................... 29 “Emergency Operations Frequencies to avoid or Monitor” ............................................................................................... 30 Amateur Radio Callsign Numerical Prefixes ....................................................................................................................... 33 Call Tree System ......................................................................................................................................................................... 35 What is a Call Tree? ............................................................................................................................................................ 35 How does the Call Tree system work? ................................................................................................................................ 35 Testing the effectiveness of your Call Tree ........................................................................................................................ 38 Additional Tips and Information ......................................................................................................................................... 39 A Graphical Comparison of Distance Range for Radio Types and Stations ................................................................................ 41 Typical Ranges for Various Types of Transmitters .............................................................................................................. 41 BASE-TO-BASE ....................................................................................................................................................................