Radio Communications 5

CERT Neighborhood Communications
CERT Basic Training

Radio Communications
The CERT team’s view: Basic Disaster Communications
EOC
CERT
Neighborhood
Command Post
FRS/GMRS Radio
CERT CERT CERT CERT
Team Team Team Team
CERT Basic Training RC-1 1
Communications
● Command Post must maintain communications
with all teams during an incident.
● Use what ever works: phone, cell, pen and
paper, smoke signals ....
● But when all else fails radio still works.
● To be effective, we need to learn
Emergency Radio Communications!
CERT Basic Training RC-2

Unit Objectives
● Understand the operating characteristics of

FRS/GMRS radios
● Learn to operate a radio effectively
● Use correct operational procedures
● Learn to create well formed messages

About FRS Radios
● No license required
● 14 FRS channels available
● Shares channels 1-7 with GMRS
● Channels 8-14 are FRS only
● Channels 15-22 are GMRS only (ok to listen)
● Typical 0.5 - 1 mile communication
● Very low power, 1/2 watt ERP
● Low cost

About GMRS Radios
● FCC License required, no test ($85 for 5 years)

● License covers all family members
● GMRS channels 1 - 7 are shared with FRS
● External antennas for portable radios OK *
● Can cover hundreds of square miles by repeater *
● 5 watts allowed on shared FRS channels
● Moderate to very high cost

Field Radios
Family Radio General Dual Radio
Service Mobile Radio Service
(FRS) Service
(GMRS)
Channels 14 15 22
License No Yes Maybe

Required
Power .5 Watts 50 Watts 5 Watts
(Maximum)
Range Line of Sight Line of Sight Line of Sight
Antenna Fixed Varies Fixed

Field Radios
Family Radio General Dual Radio Amateur
Service Mobile Radio Service Radio
(FRS) Service Service
(GMRS) [HAM]
Channels 14 15 22 Infinite
License No Yes Maybe Yes

Required
Power .5 Watts 50 Watts 5 Watts 1500 Watts
(Maximum)
Range Line of Sight Line of Sight Line of Sight The Moon
Antenna Fixed Varies Fixed Assorted

Unit Objectives

FRS/GMRS radios

Learning to use your radio
● Read the instructions for YOUR radio.

Radio Controls ( midland )
Off-On/Volume Control Antenna
Channel Ear Phone Jack
Push To Talk Switch Private Line (PL) Code
Call Tone Monitor/Scan Key
Menu Key Function Up Key
Function Down Key Speaker/Microphone

Radio Controls ( Motorola )
Off-On/Volume Control Antenna
Channel Ear Phone Jack
Push To Talk Switch Private Line (PL) Code
Call Tone Monitor/Scan Key
Menu Key Function Up Key
Function Down Key Speaker/Microphone

Batteries

Selecting & Maintaining FRS Radios
● Radio Controls
 On-Off (International Symbol), Volume Control
 Channel Selector
 Interference Eliminator / ‘Private’ Line (PL) Codes.
 Call Rings, “Talk Confirmation” chirp and auto TURN OFF
● Other
 Store radios in your car with extra batteries & instruction Manual
 When radios are not in use, remove batteries as they may
discharge accidentally
 Use the radios frequently for fun and practice

The “Complete” FRS Kit

FRS Channels
Channel Frequency (MHz) Notes
1. 462.5625 FRS/GMRS Shared
8. 467.5625 FRS Only
9. 467.5875 FRS Only
10. 467.6125 FRS Only
11. 467.6375 FRS Only
12. 467.6625 FRS Only
13. 467.6875 FRS Only
14. 467.7125 FRS Only
No License Required Max ½ Watt low power

What to Expect ( or why can’t you hear me now ? )
● Your are too far away from each other

● Obstructions
● Wrong channel and/or PL Code selected
● Other responders may not hear you, too weak,
poor location
● Channels may be crowded causing interference
or noise ( move to alternate channel if required )
● Feedback from other channels ( too close )

Learning to use your radio
● Selecting channel and PL

● Hold the microphone away fro your face
● Talk across the microphone, not into it
● Speak in a normal voice
● Don’t raise your voice
● Use clear pronunciation
● If adjacent noises obscure your speech shift
your location. Don’t talk louder

Additional Radio details
● PTT = Push to talk

● Lock the channel. Don’t accidently switch channel
● Spare batteries – You run longer
● Earphones – Listen hands free
● Do NOT use VOX

Unit Objectives

FRS/GMRS radios

Best Practices
● Organize your thoughts & follow the protocol

● Pass accurate & timely information from the sender
to the receiver
● Transmit only when necessary
● Limit your transmission time
● Avoid use of sensitive information over the air;
personal names, addresses only when necessary
● Use plain English, no “10 or 11 codes”

Best Practices
● Speak slowly and clearly

● Avoid pauses on the air
● Know what you are going to say BEFORE you key
the mike
● Check for proper channel & PL code
Note* Use PL Code “0” (none) or “Off” for emergency
communications.

Best Practices
● Hold radio 2” - 3” from mouth

● Use a function or geographical identification for
emergencies such as team name, tactical call,
i.e. “Neighborhood Captain, Triage, Team 1”
● Acknowledge the receipt of information
● Avoid arguments over the air
● Always know the assignment of your channels
● Stay calm & courteous if chaos occurs

Best Practices
● Communicate triage results:
● “Red Tag” (Immediate)
● “Yellow Tag” (Delayed)
● “Black tag” (Dead)
● “Green Tag” (Walking Wounded)
i.e. “We have 3 RED TAG, 12 YELLOW TAG, 6 BLACK TAG, 25
GREEN TAG”
● Avoid "stepping" on each other
● Always say, OVER when you complete your
transmission
● Avoid interrupting unless they call you
● Practice frequently
What are Prowords
● Prowords are Procedural Words that were

originally developed by the Military to:
convey maximum information with a minimum of
confusion
keep voice transmission as short and clear as
possible. Radio operators use procedure words
(Prowords) to take the place of long sentences

Some Common Prowords
● Affirmative – “Yes” (in answer to a specific question)
● Break – “I have priority traffic.”
● Break-Break – “I have emergency traffic.”
● Clear – “I am finished with this communication.”
● Copy – “I acknowledge receipt of message.”
● Negative – “No”
● Out – see Clear
● Over – end of transmission, waiting for response
● Roger - "I have received and understand your transmission." It does
not mean yes, affirmative, I agree, or I will comply.
● Wilco – “I will comply”

The Phonetic Alphabet (optional – for reference )
Letter Phonetic Letter Phonetic

A Alpha N November
B Bravo O Oscar
C Charlie P Papa
D Delta Q Quebec
E Echo R Romeo
F Foxtrot S Sierra
G Golf T Tango
H Hotel U Uniform
I India V Victor
J Juliet W Whiskey
K Kilo X X-ray
L Lima Y Yankee
M Mike Z Zulu

Unit Objectives

FRS/GMRS radios

Compose the message first
● Write the message on the message form

● Be brief, 20 words or less.
● DO NOT TRANSMITT UNTIL IT IS WRITTEN
DOWN!

Just the Facts!
● Give your location

● In general keep the information to 20 words or
less. Just the facts!
● Stick to CERT terms: Immediate, Delayed,
Minor, Light, Moderate, Heavy, and so on

780034 Andover
USGS Photo

Message Traffic
● “ICP, Team 4: 78034 Andover Street. Heavy

Damage, Over”

ICP Activity Log Entry
Team4: 780034 Andover Street. Heavy Damage

The ICS - 214

Unit Information

Try this ….
● Today: 7:50 PM. Your team discovers a fire in

an apartment building. There are people
screaming inside. One woman is begging you to
help save her baby and her mother in apartment
8. The apartment is at 7452 Iberville. The
unmistakable smell of gas is in the air. Your
team has discovered seven people with first
degree burns.

Try this ….
● Today: 7:50 PM. Your team discovers a fire in

an apartment building. There are people
screaming inside. One woman is begging you to
help save her baby and her mother in apartment
8. The apartment is at 7452 Iberville. The
unmistakable smell of gas is in the air. Your
team has discovered seven people with first
degree burns.

Activity Log

Why a log?
● When you use the radio, you need to log all

messages.
● Use the ICS-214
● “If it isn’t written down, it did not happen.”

Passing Message Traffic
1. Compose your message before you speak.

2. Start by listening - Is the channel clear?
3. If clear, press the transmit button
4. Then speak, giving call sign of who you are calling,
then your call sign.
5. Then let go of the transmit button
6. Wait for an acknowledgement.

Passing Message Traffic
7. Once acknowledged, wait a second then press

the PTT button
8. Speak, give your call sign, then your message.
Slowly.
9. Then let go of the transmit button
10. Wait for a confirmation.
11. If confirmed. Acknowledge. You are done.
12. If not confirmed. Resend message

2005 Porteous Street
USGS Photo

Example: Message Passing
● On the radio you say: “ICP, Team 4”

● You hear: “Team 4 Go Ahead.”
● You say: “Team 4. 2005 Porteous Street Heavy
Damage. Team 4 Over”

● You hear: “Copy 205 Porteous Street Heavy

Damage. ICP Over”
● You say: “ICP. Negative. I repeat. Two Zero
Zero Five Porteous Street Heavy Damage.
Team 4 Over”
● You hear: “Team 4 Copy 2005 Porteous Street
Heavy Damage ICP Over”

● You say: “ICP. Affirmative. Team 4 Over”

<At this point the message is passed.>
● You hear: “Team 4 proceed to…”

Speak Slowly… No, Even Slower.
● Say no more than five words without a pause.

● As you speak trace the letters on the log with
your fingers.
● Use phonetics if necessary. (alpha, bravo, charlie, delta, … )
● Your goal: Pass your message in one try.

But why speak slowly?
● Everything you say to the command post is

being legibly written down.
● Records tell the story.

The most common mistakes
1. Speaking without listening first.

2. Message poorly formed, not brief.
3. Speaking too fast.
4. Bad microphone technique.

Exercise: Team to Team
Division A
Team 1 Team 2
Team 3 Team 4
Division B
Team 1 Team 2
Team 3 Team 4

Exercise Wrap-up
● What did you encounter?

● Challenges?

Exercise: Team to Team
Division A
Team 1 Team 2
Team 3 Team 4
Division B
Team 1 Team 2
Team 3 Team 4

Reality: One to Many
Team 1
Team 2
Command
Post Team 3
Team 4

The CERT team’s view: Basic Disaster Communications
EOC
Ham Radio
CERT Operators
Neighborhood
Command Post
FRS/GMRS Radio
CERT CERT CERT CERT
Team Team Team Team
CERT Basic Training RC-52 5
Radio Communications 2
Where do we go if there is an incident?
● Ask your Neighborhood team leader for the

activation plan for your neighborhood.

Questions for you
● Never leave the frequency without letting

Command Post know. Why?
● Always monitor your radio, leave it turned on!
Why?
● What distance will your radio cover?
● What is your neighborhood’s FRS Channel?

Unit Summary
● You should know:

 The difference between FRS, GMRS, & Ham Radio
 Basic operation of your radio
 Correct Operational Procedures
 How to create and pass a message
 Why Radio communication is important
Always follow the safety rules established for

CERTs – personal safety comes first!

Links
● Berkeley CERT
http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=3920
● FCC http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm,
Search for FRS, GMRS, Amateur
● Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page,
Search for Family Radio Service, etc.
● NALCO http://nalco-ares-races.org
● ARRL http://www.arrl.org


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CERT Neighborhood Communications

CERT Basic Training

CERT Basic Training RC-2

● Understand the operating characteristics of

CERT Basic Training RC-3

CERT Basic Training RC-4

● FCC License required, no test ($85 for 5 years)

CERT Basic Training RC-5

License No Yes Maybe

Antenna Fixed Varies Fixed

CERT Basic Training RC-6

License No Yes Maybe Yes

Antenna Fixed Varies Fixed Assorted

CERT Basic Training RC-7

● Understand the operating characteristics of

CERT Basic Training RC-8

● Read the instructions for YOUR radio.

CERT Basic Training RC-9

Off-On/Volume Control Antenna

Channel Ear Phone Jack

Push To Talk Switch Private Line (PL) Code

Call Tone Monitor/Scan Key

Menu Key Function Up Key

Function Down Key Speaker/Microphone

CERT Basic Training RC-10

Off-On/Volume Control Antenna

Channel Ear Phone Jack

Push To Talk Switch Private Line (PL) Code

Call Tone Monitor/Scan Key

Menu Key Function Up Key

Function Down Key Speaker/Microphone

CERT Basic Training RC-11

CERT Basic Training RC-12

CERT Basic Training RC-13

CERT Basic Training RC-14

No License Required Max ½ Watt low power

● Your are too far away from each other

CERT Basic Training RC-16

● Selecting channel and PL

CERT Basic Training RC-17

● PTT = Push to talk

CERT Basic Training RC-18

● Understand the operating characteristics of

CERT Basic Training RC-19

● Organize your thoughts & follow the protocol

CERT Basic Training RC-20

● Speak slowly and clearly

CERT Basic Training RC-21

● Hold radio 2” - 3” from mouth

CERT Basic Training RC-22

● Prowords are Procedural Words that were

CERT Basic Training RC-24

CERT Basic Training RC-25

Letter Phonetic Letter Phonetic

CERT Basic Training RC-26

● Understand the operating characteristics of

CERT Basic Training RC-27

● Write the message on the message form

CERT Basic Training RC-28