RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR REPEATER USAGE BY BTG MEMBERS
The BTG Communications repeater system was created as a way for its members to have an effective means of communication with family and friends in the event of an emergency of natural disaster. Although we encourage the casual use or the system the emergency nature of this endeavor cannot be lost or forgotten. FCC regulations require that emergency broadcasts be given top priority. We concur so in order to comply and keep the system from becoming mayhem in the event of an actual emergency we are going to require that members observe certain radio disciplines and procedures. By practicing proper radio discipline as set forth it will ensure that not only are we ready for an emergency but it will make the day to day casual communications a much more pleasant experience for all.
CERT COOPRATION: BTG has every intention of assisting other groups in the event of an emergency. Groups like Community Emergency Response Teams, CERT for short, utilize a radio communications system based on the Family Radio System (FRS). All our GMRS operators should be familiar with the FRS bands and be aware that by being a licensed GMRS operator you are entitled to operate on the following FRS channels 1-7 at a full five watts of power.
FRS-GMRS 462.5625 1 FRS/GMRS shared - 5 watts max
FRS-GMRS 462.5875 2 FRS/GMRS shared - 5 watts max
FRS-GMRS 462.6125 3 FRS/GMRS shared - 5 watts max
FRS-GMRS 462.6375 4 FRS/GMRS shared - 5 watts max
FRS-GMRS 462.6625 5 FRS/GMRS shared - 5 watts max
FRS-GMRS 462.6875 6 FRS/GMRS shared - 5 watts max
FRS-GMRS 462.7125 7 FRS/GMRS shared - 5 watts max
BTG encourages its members to have these frequencies programmed into an HT or Mobile radio so that in the event of a situation where communication with a CERT organization is needed they will be available.
SIMPLEX CALL CHANNEL: The Administration of BTG has decided that 462.725 or GMRS8 will be utilized as a standard Simplex Channel. We encourage our members to utilize simplex operations whenever possible and become familiar with the performance and capability of their particular equipment. Also, whenever possible we encourage members to become familiar with those members with whom simplex communications are possible. This will benefit the member but the group as a whole in the event that messages need to be transmitted via simplex. We will be conducting simplex tests from time to time following the Sunday Info-Net. These tests will be announced.
PLAIN LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION: Additionally, we will be adopting a system of “Plain Language” radio communication which relies more on radio technique than radio codes of the various sort. The reason for this is codes unless universally adopted by all members a code system will only create confusion. We all come from varying backgrounds and levels of radio experience. We like diversity but someone using CB “10” codes with another members using Ham “Q” codes and a third member using Police “Jargon” do not mix well in an emergency. By using “Plain Language” but proper repeater technique we can avoid all possible confusion. Utilizing a plain language system also keeps us in line with organizations like CERT and compliant with FCC regulations which encourage plain language for GMRS transmissions.
REPEATER ETIQUETTE: In life and on a repeater communication requires two parts, someone who relays a message and someone who receives a message. For a member to relay his message he must first be heard. Marginal equipment and low signals although understandable at times should not be used on a constant basis on the BTG repeater. A bad signal into the repeater only degrades other member’s repeater experience. After being told that you are unreadable and after given several opportunities if a signal is still unreadable it is that members responsibility to find an alternative way to communicate the message or cease any casual conversation with a poor signal. (This does not apply to emergencies, just casual repeater use). Radio checks are encouraged and should be responded to with the following terms:
LOUD AND CLEAR means, excellent copy with no noise
FULL QUIETING a term used when utilizing a repeater which means that you signal if full power and your audio is absent any static or background noise
GOOD READABLE means, good copy, slight noise
WEAK READABLE means, Unable to Copy
When a member transmits into a repeater they should first announce themselves by their call sign. This should happen at least once at the beginning of the transmission a member should announce themselves with their complete call sign. Subsequent transmission can use the abbreviated number or last three digits are acceptable. This is particularly important in emergency situations. If the repeater is in Emergency Net operations we are required to know your full call sign for the log and this gives us personal information that we may need to access later on during an event. Use of the term LISTENING is acceptable and indicates that you are available for a casual conversation. The term MONITORING is a term that is reserved for administrators and therefore should not be used by members. In the event of an emergency members who are checking into the Emergency Net are doing so to either provide pertinent information, pass a message or make themselves available for an assignment. In an emergency there is not need to announce the fact that you are monitoring, we hope this to be the case and assume so. In a non-emergency case a callout would sound like this: THIS IS WXYZ123 (MOBILE/PORTABLE) LISTENING. In an emergency a callout should resemble this: THIS IS WXYZ123 WITH TRAFFIC or THIS IS WXYZ123 STANDING BY.
ROTATION: When members are engaged in casual conversation a rotation must be established so that every member has an opportunity to engage in a conversation. Operators should observe proper pauses allowing the machine to reset and allow other members to be heard. Once heard a member should be ACKNOWLEDGED. This would sound as follows: WXYZ123 ACKNOWLEDGED and that member would be given the next position in the rotation. The importance of proper rotation cannot be over stressed and members will be held responsible for adhering to this rule. Although direct talk in a rotation is sometimes appropriate it is that operators responsibility to resume the rotation once the direct message is passed. A repeater is not to be used for several two way conversations at once. This is why we have designated the Simplex Channel 462.725
LANGUAGE: This BTG repeater system is a family friendly system. Use of foul, obscene or offensive language is not only discouraged it is against FCC Regulations. Members will be held responsible for their own actions and adherence to this policy is mandatory.
RELAYING A MESSAGE: Whether it is an emergency or just a casual message like “Can you ask Bob to call me on the landline” conveying a message should be taken seriously. When receiving a message make sure that you understand what it is, write it down if you can. It is important that the message gets delivered as it was intended.
PERSONAL COURTESY: Under no circumstances should a member show discourtesy to another member. The repeater is no place for personal animosity or competition. It if doesn’t need to be said simply don’t say it.
TERMS AND EXPRESSIONS USED IN RADIO TRANSMISSIONS. The items below are primarily used in emergency communications so that messages are passed and received with clarity. Although not required in casual radio conversation but members are encouraged to practice their use whenever possible so that in the case of an event messages will flow more efficiently.
PRO-WORDS: Pro-words are words used to abbreviate speech but create a situation where no confusion can exist. The type of pro-words that are to be used are as follows:
“THIS IS” Used to identify who is calling
“OVER” Means “I have finished speaking and it’s now your turn”
“GO AHEAD” Means “I am ready to copy”
“OUT” Means “I am finished, expect no reply”
“COPY” The same as OK or Roger and means simply “Understood”
“AFFIRMATIVE” Better than yes and stands out on weak transmission
“NEGATIVE” Same principle, means no but does not get muted
“SAY AGAIN” used in place of the work “repeat” as it does not get muted or misunderstood.
“CORRECTION” Used when a mistake is made lets the receiver know that a change is to be made
PHONETICS: Phonetics are necessary from time to time, over use is discouraged but I a word or phrase has to be spelled phonetically the technique is as follows:
A station would state “I SPELL” which lets a receiver know that a difficult word, name or word that may sound like something else is about to be used. An example of this would be “I spell, Charlie Alpha Tango (Cat). FIGURES is a term which lets a receiver know that a number will follow as in “Figure 2, I spell, Charlie Alpa Tango (2 Cats). Below is the world standard NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
MIXED GROUP signifies that a word or statement will contain both letters and numbers such as “Room number, Mixed Group Two, Five, Five Charlie or Room Number 255C.
24 HOUR CLOCK: Better known as Military Time. All Emergency Services and Organizations utilize the 24 hour clock. Members should utilize the 24 hour clock whenever possible.
UNIT ID’S: A unit ID is something that is used by all Emergency organizations. Police, Fire, CERT all use a Unit ID Number of some sort. For the members of SHTFLI this is easy, it is the last thee numbers of your GMRS call sign.
NET CONTROL: In the event of an emergency or drill a Net Control Operator will be assigned. The Net Control Operator will check in, relay information and assign members to tasks specific to the situation. A Net Control Operator is required to document via a Log all events, messages and information passed through the repeater. The Net Control is in complete charge of repeater operations. If the volume of TRAFFIC is high the Net Control Operator may assign another member to be a recorder and keep the log so that the Net Control may deal with evolving issues. A RECORDER may be required to make further notifications if necessary and should be equipped with a working phone and a good writing instrument.
FIELD COORDINATOR: In the event of an emergency or drill a Field Coordinator will be assigned to supervise on scene operations and act as a liaison with other agencies requiring our assistance. The Field Coordinator and Net Control will work in conjunction with one another to assign personnel to tasks as required.
BTG MEMBERS: In the event of an emergency and BTG institutes an Emergency Net members are asked to check in when they can after their homes and family are deemed safe and secure. When checking in it is important to let Net Control know what type of capabilities you have. For instance if you still have power in a blackout we need to know this, what communications systems do you have other than GMRS, phone, HAM, etc. If you are well supplied and have items that another member may be in need of this is also good to know. We will give top priority to our own members needs and will deploy whatever resources we have to assist our members first. Once we are assured that our members are as safe as we can make them we can deploy to assist the greater community.
The goal of this document is to make all BTG members aware of what is expected of them. We do not as a team wish to appear harsh or overburden anyone with rules. But as with any organization there does need to be some guidelines and this is a first attempt at doing so. We strive to keep the BTG repeater system a fun but functional part of our community by having a dual role as both a necessary means of protecting and caring for the ones we love and hopefully eventually our community as well.
It is the responsibility of BTG Administrators to maintain the operation and good order of the repeater system. Part of that responsibility is that they will monitor the actions and behavior of the members on the repeater system in order to stay in compliance with FCC and BTG regulations. A system or admonishments and warnings has been created in the event that a member fails to comply with either set of regulations. The Administrators at BTG reserve the right to warn, admonish or revoke the repeater privileges of any member who continually violates these rules. In the case of repeater privilege revocation dues will not be refunded.
