Operations at BEECN Sites: Difference between revisions
From Portland NET Wiki
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* '''BEECN VOLUNTEER:''' I am on station at <span style="background:#FFFF00">BEECN NAME</span> near <span style="background:#FFFF00">(give visual landmark)</span> and ready to operate. I have <span style="background:#FFFF00">#</span> operators at this location: <span style="background:#FFFF00">List all participants at that location by name.</span> | * '''BEECN VOLUNTEER:''' I am on station at <span style="background:#FFFF00">BEECN NAME</span> near <span style="background:#FFFF00">(give visual landmark)</span> and ready to operate. I have <span style="background:#FFFF00">#</span> operators at this location: <span style="background:#FFFF00">List all participants at that location by name.</span> | ||
* '''FIRE STATION:''' Roger, <span style="background:#FFFF00">#</span> operators at your BEECN. Please continue to monitor this channel and inform me of staffing changes. | * '''FIRE STATION:''' Roger, <span style="background:#FFFF00">#</span> operators at your BEECN. Please continue to monitor this channel and inform me of staffing changes. | ||
After checking in, volunteers request permission to pass radio traffic if there are messages to relay. Otherwise, volunteers wait and listen on channel for further instructions/messages. | |||
=== Step 3: Exchanging radio traffic === | === Step 3: Exchanging radio traffic === | ||
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| Any traffic that does not fall into the above categories. As a general rule, no traffic other than the above '''''should''''' go over the BEECN system. However, this rubric cannot predict all situations and PBEM expects BEECN volunteers to execute appropriate judgement whether the content of a message justifies reporting it to the EOC. | | Any traffic that does not fall into the above categories. As a general rule, no traffic other than the above '''''should''''' go over the BEECN system. However, this rubric cannot predict all situations and PBEM expects BEECN volunteers to execute appropriate judgement whether the content of a message justifies reporting it to the EOC. | ||
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=== Troubleshooting === | |||
====== 1.) Nobody responding to check in from BEECN to primary relay ====== | |||
If there is no response from the Primary Relay, wait five minutes, then repeat the check in message. Continue transmitting every five minutes until the Primary Relay responds. BEECN volunteers should attempt to reach their Backup Relay if they cannot immediately reach the Primary Relay. There is no need to contact the Backup Relay if the BEECN volunteer reaches the Primary Relay. | |||
====== 2.) Transmission/receiving is poor quality ====== | |||
If transmission quality is poor, volunteers should look at the map inside the cache and consider what objects (hills, buildings) are between them and the fire station. If possible, volunteers will move away from/out from behind those obstructions. Additionally, volunteers may have to look for higher ground to get a clear signal. Some BEECNs that are far from their fire station have a white external antenna in their kit. Volunteers can attach this antenna to the UHF handheld radio if they experience trouble communicating. The external antenna is attached by unscrewing the small flexible antenna from the radio and attaching the external antenna cable in its place. | |||
== BEECN Channel Guide == | == BEECN Channel Guide == | ||
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=== Basic BEECN Operations === | === Basic BEECN Operations === | ||
# Volunteers will record the time of the first transmission and the time when their Relay is reached in the radio log. A radio log is included in the BEECN cache. | # Volunteers will record the time of the first transmission and the time when their Relay is reached in the radio log. A radio log is included in the BEECN cache. | ||
# As much as possible, volunteers should keep radio traffic minimal, avoiding transmitting nonessential radio traffic. Volunteers may hear other BEECN sites talking on the same channel as well. | # As much as possible, volunteers should keep radio traffic minimal, avoiding transmitting nonessential radio traffic. Volunteers may hear other BEECN sites talking on the same channel as well. | ||
# Best operating practices suggest that one volunteer is in charge of the radio and actively talking with the Relay. The other volunteer is interacting with the public and gathering radio messages to relay. | # Best operating practices suggest that one volunteer is in charge of the radio and actively talking with the Relay. The other volunteer is interacting with the public and gathering radio messages to relay. | ||
