LDS Emergency LDS Emergency Communications Communications

Specialists’Specialists’CourseCourse

Priesthood Leader’s Priesthood Leader’s ResponsibilityResponsibility

“Maintain means of emergency communication that will enable local Church leaders to communicate with members and other leaders during an emergency.”

Church Emergency Communication Guidelines (May 2004)

Wireless Voice Wireless Voice CommunicationsCommunications

Cell PhoneSatellite PhoneCBFRSAmateur RadioGMRS

Cell PhoneCell Phone

Shared infrastructure with Telephone (landlines)When telephones are out, cell phones usually are also

Short range (Cell tower must be relatively close)Battery life limitedCall volume overload very common in emergenciesCell phone inexpensive $“Air Time” usage can get expensive

Satellite PhoneSatellite Phone Is a telephone that utilizes satellites orbiting the Earth

Assigned a telephone number for incoming calls Requires a telephone number to dial out

Cannot be used indoors, without outside antenna Call volume overload possible in a major emergency Battery life limited Satellite phones expensive $$$ “Air Time” usage is very expensive

CBCB

Citizens Band Radios Been around for years Radio Equipment: not expensive $$ 5 watts legal limit

Range: 4-5 mile range (normally) 40 Channels

Channel 9 – for Emergencies only FCC license not required Most conversations not fit for family

consumption!

FRSFRS

Family Radio ServiceRadio Equipment: Inexpensive $Millions in use!Very low power – ½ watt

range (1-2 miles unobstructed)

14 channelsNo FCC license required

Amateur Radio (‘Hams’)Amateur Radio (‘Hams’)

FCC License and call sign required to transmit on Amateur Radio Bands

Lots of Amateur Radio FrequenciesPower: 1,500 watts on some bandsRange: worldwide on some bandsWide range of cost for equipment,

handheld radio can be relatively inexpensive $$$

Amateur Radio BandsAmateur Radio Bands(most used bands)(most used bands)

Very High Frequency (VHF) Band– Local Communication– Handheld radios very popular $$– 2 meter – most popular Ham band

Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Band– Local Communication– Handheld radios very popular $$– 440 Mhz – very popular Ham band

High Frequency (HF) Band– Worldwide communication– Base station $$$$– 10, 15, 20, 40, 80 meters

Amateur Radio LicenseAmateur Radio License Technician Class

Entry level Written Exam UHF & VHF bands – local communications

General Class Written Exam HF – worldwide communications

Extra Class Written Exam All frequencies in the Amateur Radio Bands

** NO More Morse Code requirements **Written Examination ($15)

Emergency CommunicationsEmergency CommunicationsAmateur Radio in ActionAmateur Radio in Action

Hurricane Katrina - September 2005Northeast blackout - August 2003Shuttle Columbia recovery effort -

February 2003World Trade Center and Pentagon

terrorist attacks-September 2001Hurricane Floyd - September 1999Oklahoma City Bombing - April 1995

Amateur Radio Operator WTC 2001

GMRSGMRS General Mobile Radio Service Readily available Radio equipment: Not very expensive $$ Power:

5 watts max on a Handheld (Portable) Radio50 watts max on a Base (Mobile) RadioRange: 5-25 miles (Extended by Repeaters)

Channels7 shared FRS channels plus…8 GMRS Repeater channels

FCC License required: $85 for 5 yearsCovers the whole extended family

Radio BasicsRadio Basics

Repeaters Duplex vs Simplex Privacy Tones (PL) Normal Radio Etiquette Emergency Communications Etiquette GMRS Call Sign Required GMRS Net GMRS Radio (one example)

What is a Repeater?What is a Repeater?

A Repeater rebroadcasts the radio signal, thus increasing the distance you can communicate.

Duplex:Duplex: GMRS Repeaters GMRS Repeaters

CH Listen Freq Talk Freq 1 462.5500 MHz 467.5500 MHz2 462.5750 MHz 467.5750 MHz3 462.6000 MHz 467.6000 MHz4 462.6250 MHz 467.6250 MHz5 462.6500 MHz 467.6500 MHz6 462.6750 MHz 467.6750 MHz7 462.7000 MHz 467.7000 MHz8 462.7250 MHz 467.7250 MHz

Simplex: Simplex: GMRS & FRS Shared FreqGMRS & FRS Shared Freq

Channels Listen Freq & Talk Freq

FRS-1 462.5625 MHz National SOS ChannelFRS-2 462.5875 MHzFRS-3 462.6125 MHzFRS-4 462.6375 MHzFRS-5 462.6625 MHzFRS-6 462.6875 MHzFRS-7 462.7125 MHz

(GMRS 5 Watts Allowed )

Privacy TonesPrivacy Tones

Privacy Tones (also called: Privacy Codes, PL, CTCSS or Tone Squelch)

Like an Electronic FilterYou do not hear themBut they can still hear you

Privacy TonesPrivacy Tones

Repeater (Duplex) Standardized for LV Valley

PT: 141.3 Hz on Talk Freq

(Required for Repeaters to Hear You!)

PT: 141.3 Hz on Listen Freq (Filters out others talking)

FRS Shared Channels (Simplex)

No Privacy Tones – Recommended

GMRS Repeater Channel #6GMRS Repeater Channel #6

– National Calling Frequency– REACT (LVMPD Volunteer Org)

Monitoring Dispatch REACT personnel

– Not for normal chit-chat– Move to another GMRS Repeater

Frequency

GMRS Repeater Channel #3GMRS Repeater Channel #3

– Located at LV Bishop’s Storehouse– Can be used for daily radio traffic– During an emergency, for

communications between Local Stakes Local Bishop’s Storehouse

GMRS RepeatersGMRS Repeaters

GMRS repeaters are private property– GMRS frequencies are shared

frequencies, but repeaters are not  – Use of repeaters is with owners’

permission

GMRS Communications GMRS Communications EtiquetteEtiquette

Listen before you transmit.

Make sure you aren’t interrupting a conversation.

GMRS Communications GMRS Communications EtiquetteEtiquette

Do not use the radio to advertise the sale of goods

or services.

GMRS Communications GMRS Communications EtiquetteEtiquette

Use lowest power needed to communicate–FRS (1/2 watt)–GMRS simplex–GMRS repeater

GMRS Communications GMRS Communications EtiquetteEtiquette

Do not use obscene, indecent, or profane words, language,

or meaning.

Emergency Communications Emergency Communications EtiquetteEtiquette

Good News - You’ll be heard by anyone monitoring the radio frequency! This increases your chances of getting the help you need.

Bad News - You’ll be heard by anyone monitoring the radio frequency! No radio communication is truly private, so don’t broadcast sensitive information.

Emergency Communications Emergency Communications EtiquetteEtiquette

Use plain language.

Although you may know the meanings of all the “10 codes” and other radio jargon, the folks you’re trying to talk to may not, or they may know a different meaning altogether.

Emergency Communications Emergency Communications EtiquetteEtiquette

If you must interrupt for a bona fide emergency, say “Break for a medical emergency” or other appropriate language. The other parties should yield the frequency to you or attempt to assist you.

GMRS Call Sign RequirementGMRS Call Sign Requirement

GMRS requires FCC Call SignEvery GMRS station must transmit a

station identification:

(1) Following the transmission of communications or a series of communications; and

(2) Every 15 minutes during a long transmission.

(FCC code Part 95.119)

GMRS NetGMRS Net

Every Monday night Check-ins start around 7:15 pmCurrently on GMRS Repeater CH #7

(462.7000 MHz with a PT 141.3 Hz)Great time to test your radio equipment

on the GMRS repeatersGet to know other GMRS operators

– Some are with Volunteer Organizations– Some are Amateur Radio operators

GMRS Radio EquipmentGMRS Radio Equipment

ICOM IC-F21GM Radio– 16 channels

8 GMRS Repeater Channels 7 GMRS / FRS shared channels Channel 16 – Scan all Channels

– $130 at Amateur Electronics Supply (647-3114)– Optional:

Extra AA Battery Pack (Strongly Recommended) Lithium-ion Battery Pack Headset with Microphone

Emergency Communications Emergency Communications Amateur Radio OrganizationsAmateur Radio Organizations

Amateur Radio Emergency Services (A.R.E.S.)

Skywarn (National Weather Service)

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (R.A.C.E.S.)

Em Communications TrainingEm Communications Training

Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL)Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course

Level 1 Certification

ITU Phonetic AlphabetGo KitsICS Command OrganizationMessage Handling Various Digital Methods of Radio

Communications

Emergency Communications ChannelsEmergency Communications ChannelsOutsideBuildingSecurity

Search Party

(GMRS / FRS Radios)

Ward CommunicationsSpecialist

Ward CommunicationsSpecialist

Stake Communications Specialist

Local Bishop’s StorehouseCommunications Specialist

Regional Bishop’s StorehouseCommunications Specialist

Church HQ EmergencyCommunications Specialist

Cultural HallSecurity

OutsideBuildingSecurity

Search PartyCultural Hall

Security

(GMRS & Amateur Radio UHF/VHF Radios)

(GMRS & Amateur Radio UHF/VHF Radios)

(Amateur Radio HF Radios)

Hurricane Katrina & RitaHurricane Katrina & Rita

Response Amateur Radio (UHF/VHF) local communications Amateur Radio (HF) regional communications Communication Centers

Lessons Learned Satellite Phones (limitations) Amateur Radio workhorse

Remember . . .Remember . . .

It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.-- Howard Ruff --

http://www.aa7i.orgLDS Em Communications

More Emergency More Emergency Communications ResourcesCommunications Resources