Operations at Fire Stations: Difference between revisions

From Portland NET Wiki
← Older editNewer edit →
VisualWikitext
Line 231: Line 231:
#*Other information deemed necessary by the ARO or requested by net control
#*Other information deemed necessary by the ARO or requested by net control
#If no contact is possible on the Multnomah County ARES Resource Net via the MC-2 repeater, AROs should attempt to make a simplex contact with the Resource Net using the output frequency of the MC-2 repeater: 147.280 MHz, which can be accomplished using MC-12 stored in memory channel 12.
#If no contact is possible on the Multnomah County ARES Resource Net via the MC-2 repeater, AROs should attempt to make a simplex contact with the Resource Net using the output frequency of the MC-2 repeater: 147.280 MHz, which can be accomplished using MC-12 stored in memory channel 12.
#After checking in with the Resource Net Controller (or attempting to check in) the ARO should switch over to the BEECN simplex frequency: 144.410 MHz, which should be stored in memory channel 20.<ref>If changing to channel 20 causes PNTC13 to appear on the radio's display, the channel is programmed with the BEECN simplex frequency. If PNTC13 doesn't appear, the ARO can use the radio's VFO mode to select 144.410 MHz. On Icom transceivers VFO mode is accessed by pressing the [V/MHz] key to select VFO mode when the transceiver is not already in VFO mode. The [V/MHz] key is the right-most key below the display. Hint: If a small M is displayed to the right of the frequency, the transceiver is in Memory mode rather than VFO mode.</ref> The ARO will use 144.410 MHz to check in with the BEECN Tactical Net Controller sited at the ECC and provide any requested information.
#After checking in with the Resource Net Controller (or attempting to check in) the ARO should switch over to the BEECN simplex frequency: 144.410 MHz, which should be stored in memory channel 20.<ref>If changing to channel 20 causes PNTC13 to appear on the radio's display, the channel is programmed with the BEECN simplex frequency. If PNTC13 doesn't appear, the ARO can use the radio's VFO mode to select 144.410 MHz. On Icom transceivers VFO mode is accessed by pressing the [V/MHz] key to select VFO mode when the transceiver is not already in VFO mode. The [V/MHz] key is the right-most key below the display. Hint: If a small M is displayed to the right of the frequency, the transceiver is in Memory mode rather than VFO mode.
 
Once the transceiver is in VFO mode, rotate the tuning knob on the right to select 144.410. If the initial frequency is a long way from 144.410, you can save time by briefly telling the transceiver to change frequency 1 MHz at a time by tapping the [V/MHz] key. The display should change to show fewer digits. After the first three digits show “144”, tap the [V/MHz] again to return to the normal VFO tuning mode.</ref> The ARO will use 144.410 MHz to check in with the BEECN Tactical Net Controller sited at the ECC and provide any requested information.
#Once the ARO has connected with the BEECN Tactical Net Controller, the fire station volunteer operating the UHF handheld radio should power up their radio and set it to the correct channel, and ask all BEECNs to check in.
#Once the ARO has connected with the BEECN Tactical Net Controller, the fire station volunteer operating the UHF handheld radio should power up their radio and set it to the correct channel, and ask all BEECNs to check in.
#The operator of the UHF handheld is responsible for regularly checking in with the BEECNs on their channel. This includes BEECNs on the channel not normally associated with the fire station (e.g. a BEECN whose operators cannot reach their Primary Relay and need assistance from their Backup Relay).


== X ==
== X ==
Line 244: Line 247:


=== Basic Fire Station Operations ===
=== Basic Fire Station Operations ===
a. Community residents go to their nearest BEECN to send information to the Portland ECC. To accomplish this, BEECN operators send messages via a UHF handheld radio to the volunteer team at the nearest fire station, and the fire station re-broadcasts BEECN messages via amateur radio to the Portland ECC. There are at least two team members at the fire station:


# Amateur Radio Operator (FCC licensed): responsible for setup and operation of the amateur radio and communicating with the ECC. All amateur radio use and transmission must be in compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations.
# UHF Radio Operator (no license necessary): Responsible for setup and operation of the UHF handheld radio and communicating with nearby BEECN sites.
b. FS volunteers should maintain a written log of communications to and from their station using the [https://volunteerpdx.net/images/b/bc/BEECN_Radio_Log_Form.pdf BEECN Radio Log Form].
c. The ARO checks in with the Multnomah County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Resource Net Controller on the Multnomah County Secondary Repeater MC-2, which is stored in memory channel 2 of VHF radio'''.''' Checking in with the Resource Net, the ARO gives his or her FCC call sign and waits for acknowledgement from the net control operator. Once recognized, the ARO may be asked to provide additional information such as
* „„Name
* „„Location
* „„Available equipment, including communications and transportation resources
* BEECN affiliation
* „„Other information deemed necessary by the ARO or requested by net control
d. If no contact is possible on the Multnomah County ARES Resource Net via the MC-2 repeater, AROs should attempt to make a simplex contact with the Resource Net using the output frequency of the MC-2 repeater: 147.280 MHz, which can be accomplished using MC-12 stored in memory channel 12.
e. After checking in with the Resource Net Controller (or attempting to check in) the ARO should switch over to the BEECN simplex frequency: 144.410 MHz, which should be stored in memory channel 20.* The ARO will use 144.410 MHz to check in with the BEECN Tactical Net Controller sited at the ECC and provide any requested information.


f. Regular radio traffic and monitoring commences. BEECNs will request permission from the fire station to begin passing traffic. The BEECN Net Controller will contact each fire station periodically for status reports. (AROs will handle life threatening situations by calling 911 if it is available.)
f. Regular radio traffic and monitoring commences. BEECNs will request permission from the fire station to begin passing traffic. The BEECN Net Controller will contact each fire station periodically for status reports. (AROs will handle life threatening situations by calling 911 if it is available.)
g. The operator of the UHF handheld is responsible for regularly checking in with the BEECNs on their channel. This includes BEECNs on the channel not normally associated with the fire station (e.g. a BEECN whose operators cannot reach their normally assigned fire station may reach and need assistance from another).
<nowiki>*</nowiki>  If changing to channel 20** causes PNTC13 to appear on the radio's display, the channel is programmed with the BEECN simplex frequency.  If PNTC13 doesn't appear, the ARO can use the radio's VFO mode to select 144.410 MHz. On Icom transceivers VFO mode is accessed by pressing the [V/MHz] key to select VFO mode when the transceiver is not already in VFO mode. The [V/MHz] key is the right-most key below the display. Hint: If a small M is displayed to the right of the frequency, the transceiver is in Memory mode rather than VFO mode. .
Once the transceiver is in VFO mode, rotate the tuning knob on the right to select 144.410. If the initial frequency is a long way from 144.410, you can save time by briefly telling the transceiver to change frequency 1 MHz at a time by tapping the [V/MHz] key. The display should change to show fewer digits. After the first three digits show “144”, tap the [V/MHz] again to return to the normal VFO tuning mode.


<nowiki>**</nowiki> [[Media:MCARES 2023 Frequency Template for BEECN VHF Radios.pdf|Channel Assignments Used in BEECN VHF Radios]]
<nowiki>**</nowiki> [[Media:MCARES 2023 Frequency Template for BEECN VHF Radios.pdf|Channel Assignments Used in BEECN VHF Radios]]
Retrieved from "https://volunteerpdx.net/index.php/Operations_at_Fire_Stations"