USING TACTICAL CALLS
Part Two
During both public service and emergency events the net control operator may request that you use Tactical Calls to identify your station. These are usually either a location or vehicle you might be in. Tactical calls make the net control operations easier to keep track of during a hectic operation. If this is the case, then do so. An example would be saying: “Net Control, this is Rest Stop # 5”. But remember that this does NOT absolve you from following FCC rules that state you MUST give your call-sign when IDing at the end of a series of transmissions and every ten minutes. Since most of your communications during an event will be under ten minutes in duration, this can be simply done on the last transmission in the series by stating your call-sign.
Being net control operator can, at times, be a bit hectic. There are also times when they will be relieved for a spell and someone else will be the net control operator. So give your location. If you are unsure of the message being properly received by the net control operator, ask for verification, called a read back. A good net control operator will automatically repeat your request just to make sure they understood it. And while you are at it, mark down all requests made by you in your spiral notebook, noting the time. Location and actual request and who requested it. If another station is asking a question to the net control operator and you know the answer DO NOT chime in with a reply. Remember net protocol. If net control doesn’t answer the question then you should address the net control operator and ask for permission before going direct with the other station.
Now the event is in full swing. Other radio operators are calling net control with updates on where the first participants are or any other information requested by the net control operator. Others might be requesting supplies or a vehicle to pick up anyone who gets fatigued along the route. This is when you must be very observant. At times there might be a great swell of people, perhaps hundreds, walking past your location. Look up and down the route. Make sure that everything is going well. If you see someone sitting on the side of the route looking tired, you may wish to ask them if they need a ride back to the finish line. If they do, call net control, and after getting their acknowledgment, inform them that there is someone who needs a ride, giving their exact location including the main street, any cross streets and any outstanding landmarks. The same thing applies for anyone who gets injured. DO NOT attempt any first aid other than, perhaps, offering water. It is not your responsibility to administer first aid unless you are both trained and qualified. Just pass the information to the net control station.
DO NOT jump into the street and try to direct traffic or walkers. This is NOT your responsibility and doing this might cause a black eye for amateur radio communicators. There have been a few cases, in different parts of the country, where one or two over-zealous Hams have acted in an unprofessional manner and because of their actions Ham radio operators are no longer invited to participate in that area's public service events. If you are approached by people who seem interested in what you are doing, tell them all about the wonderful things ham radio has to offer! It's your turn to be a salesman for amateur radio.
While you are doing all of this, it pays keep a mental note whenever you see either a supply truck, pick-up or emergency vehicle pass or stop at your location. There may be some point during the operation where the net control operator will ask all the radio operators to see if someone has seen such and such vehicle. If it has passed your point, or if it is currently there, relay this to net control using the proper communications procedure. Some vehicles might not have radio operators with them and will rely on directions from you and others. It will be rare, but it will happen, when in the middle of a communications the net control operator asks you to go direct with another operator in order to pass information. Do so in a professional manner. When you are done passing that traffic, respond to net control by saying: “This is (your call-sign), back to net”. By doing this, you have properly ID’d and have let everyone know that your direct communications with another radio operator is done. If you are listening to communications and net control tells two otherstations to “go direct”, DO NOT interfere with any other type of communications you might have, EXCEPT IF YOU HAVE DIRE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. There will be plenty of time to pass any routine traffic you have after the two stations have finished. Also be aware that if you are talking to net control and another radio operator breaks in and says “EMERGENCY”, YOU ARE TOSTOP TALKING. Emergency communications have top priority over EVERYTHING. Just wait until you are sure that the emergency traffic has cleared before trying to re-establish contact with net control to finish your communications.
Well, now you finally were able to stand down and are returning to the communications staging area for a short debriefing. Drive VERY slowly and carefully as there will still be many people in your area and the areas along your return path. At the debriefing, tell them your observations and ideas, using the notes of communications, etc. that you made in your small spiral-bound notebook. We, as communicators, always try to improve our operation. You might also have input that would make next year's event run better, such as if possible relocating the check point/rest area to another parking lot so people have better access. Your input, and the actual communications help you provided to make the event successful, is greatly appreciated by everyone.
The same basic principles can be applied to many other events, such as parades, special events at parks, minor sporting events, etc. The main reason you would be at any of these would be to supply either primary or secondary communications. The amateur radio operators will really stand out if proper procedures and a professional attitude are maintained. As you volunteer and turn out for more and more public service events you will become at ease with the communications duties and operating procedures. This self-assurance will go a long way in helping you communicate during emergency events.
So with one public service event under your belt, you are gaining the understanding and knowledge that evolves with becoming a communications professional. YES, Read that last word: “professional”. A professional isn’t someone who gets paid. A professional is a person who becomes trained and learns to do a superior job. You are on the right road to becoming a professional in providing communications for public service events, and later, during emergencies. I did saybecoming because you need to experience other public service events in your area that use amateur radio communications.
Original by w2ik, Edited for
Training byTom Harris, k5wth