FJ Cruisers of Northern California

New HAMer

Well I set up a Element 2, Technician training class and exam for our EOC Comm Roster staff and our Incident Command Team Comm staff. 20 of 22 staff passed the exam and most of us are now looking into hand held multi-band radios. I also need to set up four EOC base stations and three comm trailers HAM gear. Lots of work but should be a good learning process. I should have my call sign by Tuesday.... Then I will start looking for gear and looking forward to my first call.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by manoweb on April 27, 2011 at 3:22pm

Well when I was doing simulated disaster "games" the Red Cross guys were always unable to communicate properly with their radios especially in alpine environment. Not to mention if communications have to go more than 50-100 km, so we were always very busy relaying their stuff, etc

"comm trailer use" I thought was referring to using a radio on the trail when going offroad, but maybe I misunderstood.

Permalink Reply by opg4759 on April 29, 2011 at 9:08am

I've worked with the Red Cross before and most of them when it comes to communications are fraking morons, but that's what you get when you have a largely volunteer organization.

It's all about training the operators to use the gear and have well laid out documentation at the various stations. As well as practice at dispatching since it is a skill that take a long time to hone.