FRS/GMRS Radio Mapping Guide: Difference between revisions
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[[File: | [[File:St-Johns-mapping-exercise.png|thumb|350x350px|''A sample of a team's (in this case, St. Johns) radio propagation map.''<ref>Taken from https://portlandprepares.org/net-resources/radio/frs-gmrs-radio/frs-gmrs-team-topics/.</ref>]] | ||
Radio mapping<ref>Also referred to as '''Service Area FRS/GMRS Radio Voice Quality Survey''', but we truncate to "radio mapping" to keep it simple and save money on digital ink.</ref> is the process of creating a visual representation of radio signal strengths and coverage areas across specific geographic locations | Radio mapping<ref>Also referred to as '''Service Area FRS/GMRS Radio Voice Quality Survey''', but we truncate to "radio mapping" to keep it simple and save money on digital ink.</ref> is the process of creating a visual representation of radio signal strengths and coverage areas across specific geographic locations. A radio map highlights areas with strong, weak, or no signal, helping organizations understand coverage patterns, identify dead zones, and optimize communication infrastructure. Creating and keeping updated a radio propagation map of a team's [[Team Service Areas|Service Area]] is an important part of disaster response planning in NET. | ||
The purpose of this job aid is to take radio propagation mapping "soup to nuts" and guiding volunteer team leaders through creation and maintenance of a Team Service Area radio propagation map they can include in their [[Earthquake Response Framework]]. | |||
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== Introduction to Radio Mapping == | == Introduction to Radio Mapping == | ||
=== Scenario === | === Scenario and Objectives === | ||
''A disaster has struck the Portland metropolitan area. Routine communications methods (e.g. cell phones) are disabled, and NETs are self-deploying to their [[NET Staging Areas|Staging Areas/Incident Command Posts]]. After making some initial assessments, Incident Team Leaders begin deploying strike teams to render aid in the surrounding neighborhoods.'' | ''A disaster has struck the Portland metropolitan area. Routine communications methods (e.g. cell phones) are disabled, and NETs are self-deploying to their [[NET Staging Areas|Staging Areas/Incident Command Posts]]. After making some initial assessments, [[Incident Team Leaders]] begin deploying [[NET Strike Teams|strike teams]] to render aid in the surrounding neighborhoods.'' | ||
''After dispatching a strike team to travel a specific route, the Incident Team Leader discovers they cannot establish FRS/GMRS radio communications with them. Time passes and nothing is heard. Is the team in a radio dead zone? Have their radios failed? Is the team in trouble? Should the Incident Team Leader dispatch a runner to their last known location? Does the strike team need the assistance of a follow-up strike team? Where are they?'' | ''After dispatching a strike team to travel a specific route, the Incident Team Leader discovers they cannot establish FRS/GMRS radio communications with them. Time passes and nothing is heard. Is the team in a radio dead zone? Have their radios failed? Is the team in trouble? Should the Incident Team Leader dispatch a runner to their last known location? Does the strike team need the assistance of a follow-up strike team? Where are they?'' | ||
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''Meanwhile, the strike team discovers they can no longer communicate with the NET Incident Command Post. How can they reestablish communications? Should they double back to the last point of communication, risking wasted time and physical exertion? Should they continue forward and hope to reestablish communications at a future location? How long will that take? If the team is in serious trouble, should they detour from their route to call for help? If so, in which direction?'' | ''Meanwhile, the strike team discovers they can no longer communicate with the NET Incident Command Post. How can they reestablish communications? Should they double back to the last point of communication, risking wasted time and physical exertion? Should they continue forward and hope to reestablish communications at a future location? How long will that take? If the team is in serious trouble, should they detour from their route to call for help? If so, in which direction?'' | ||
'''The purpose of FRS/GMRS radio mapping is to provide | '''The general purpose of FRS/GMRS radio mapping is to provide solutions for addressing these types of questions in an already stressful situation.''' FRS/GMRS radios are helpful communications tools, but they have known limitations; particularly range and signal strength. | ||
There are two reasons for developing a radio propagation map. First, it is important to have a realistic idea of what the limits of your radios are. Every team needs to know where this kind of communication can be relied on and where other means of communication, such as runners, will be necessary. Second, you will discover that a relay station, strategically located according to the topography and obstacles in your specific area, can provide a way to link operators to one another. | |||
=== Acronyms and Technical Terms === | |||
The table below lists acronyms and technical terms relevant to this article. Note that some terms below may have a different meaning in contexts outside this article. | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 65%;" | |||
|+ | |||
!'''<big>Acronym or technical term</big>''' | |||
!<big>Definition</big> | |||
|- | |||
|'''DAQ''' | |||
|"Delivered Audio Quality", a measure of audio quality over a transmission medium (such as radio waves). You can read more about DAQ at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delivered_Audio_Quality. Rhymes with quack. | |||
|- | |||
|'''FRS''' | |||
|"Family Radio Service". You can read more about FRS/GMRS radios in the NETwiki article titled [[FRS/GMRS Radio - General]]. | |||
|- | |||
|'''GMRS''' | |||
|"General Mobile Radio Service". You can read more about FRS/GMRS radios in the NETwiki article titled [[FRS/GMRS Radio - General]]. | |||
|- | |||
|'''Rover''' | |||
|A volunteer or team of volunteers moving to different points on a predetermined route and using radio to check in with the exercise lead when they arrive at each point. The DAQ of their signal supplies the data that is mapped onto a propagation map. | |||
|- | |||
|'''Scribe''' | |||
|For the purposes of creating a radio propagation map, a scribe is paired with a radio operator at a fixed point. The scribe records the DAQ from strike teams as they check in from different locations. | |||
|} | |||
=== Method === | === Method === | ||
FRS/GMRS mapping | The process of FRS/GMRS propagation mapping is relatively straightforward and can involve all members of a team. This article structures the method as a formal team exercise to help ensure accurate results. However, PBEM encourages Team Leaders to take a more informal approach as suited to the mood and availability of team members. | ||
FRS/GMRS propagation mapping is conducted by placing a two-person team (a radio operator who is also the exercise lead, and a scribe) at the team's planned NET Incident Command Post. "Rover teams" report to the exercise lead as they stop at specific locations throughout the NET Service Area. The exercise lead and the rover teams record the radio voice quality (DAQ) for the conversation, as they heard it, at each location. The radio voice quality values for each reported location are then used to create color-coded maps for Incident Command staff and strike teams for use during large-scale disaster response. | |||
=== Goals === | === Goals === | ||
