WELCOME TO THE EMERGCOM ECHO!   
      
      
   This introduction is posted concurrently with the rules on the   
   first day of every month to familiarize newcomers with the echo and   
   to provide them a little more information than is available from   
   the rules.     
      
   EMergcom is an echo for anyone who works in the field of emergency   
   and/or disaster radio communications.  THIs includes first   
   responders; public safety dispatchers; ham radio operators; search   
   & rescue team members and volunteers with organizations such as   
   react, Cert, etc.   
      
   fIdonet has a few echoes dedicated to radio communications, but   
   most are geared to other radio activities.  therefore, I began the   
   emergcom echo to give interested parties a place to discuss tools   
   and techniques that are beneficial to emergency and disaster   
   communicators.     
      
   Amateur radio offers some distinct advantages for volunteer   
   emergency and disaster communicators over other services.  First   
   and foremost, we have a wider range of frequencies and modes   
   available, allowing us to offer worldwide regional or local   
   communications no matter the time of   
   year or other factors.  When the infrastructure fails we have the   
   tools available to get the job done. NO other service offers the   
   same degree of flexibility and adaptability.  The flip side   
   of that coin is that amateur radio operators who wish to be   
   involved should be willing to acquire training, primarily   
   in the various operating disciplines and modes they may need   
   to use to get the job done.   
      
   emergency communications professionals may need to work with   
   volunteers during a disaster, and the aim of the EMERGCOM echo is   
   to provide tools techniques and information which will aid   
   communicators from different services in working together smoothly.    
      
        WHen communicating in emergency and disaster situations using   
   voice the prudent operator should always forego the Q signs 10   
   codes and other jargon.  Plain language works best and is   
   understood by all.  THe operator you must communicate with might   
   not understand "qth" or "10-22" etcetera.  Leave it out and use    
      
   "what is your location?"   
      
   "I shall disregard."   
      
        Having said this we still should remember that certain words   
   and phrases have universal acceptance among radio communicators,   
   whether they be military aero controllers or firefighters'   
   dispatchers.   thanks to TV and the movies however these have been   
   abused and their understanding muted in the minds of the public.     
   SO to help dispel the myths we'll list them below:   
   NOte that those most often abused are marked with an asterisk.   
      
      
   All after:  Used to get fills when copying record traffic, advising   
   the transmitting station that you need all after the word or group   
   stated.  This group will be the last group you copied correctly.   
      
   All before:  AS in the example above.     
      
   *break:  1.  An indicator that the sending radio operator will   
   break at this point to allow the receiving operator a chance to get   
   any fills or catch up.     
      2.  USed when finished with one station on a net and commencing   
   to communicate with another as in "break with you."   
      
   Please note that the so-called "double break" to signify an   
   emergency is not universally recognized as is often thought.  It is   
   an amateur radio affectation, I think imported from CB.  HOwever it   
   is recognized as the quick and dirty "I have an emergency" signal   
   for voice comms on amateur radio.   Using "break break" will   
   immediately gain the attention of net stations.   
   MOst other services recognize the pro signs "mayday" or   
   "panpan" (pronounced pon pon) however.   
      
   I say again:  Used when retransmitting a group or phrase.   
      
   *Out:  I have finished my communication with you.  (When used by net   
   control is not necessarily permission to leave the net unless   
   explicitly stated.)   
      
   *Over:  I have finished my transmission and expect a reply from you.   
   Please note that "over" and "out" are mutually exclusive and only   
   used together by communicators in bad war movies.   
      
   RELAY  (QNB on CW) Act as intermediary between stations.   
         Also, carry traffic between destinations (QSP on CW).   
      
   RE-LIST  Place a dispatched message back on the net list.   
      
   *Roger:  I received and understood your last transmission.  Does not   
   mean yes.      
      
   Wilco:  Will comply with your request.  IF you have received   
   instructions from NCS and will comply  with  them then to indicate   
   that you received understood and will comply with them the phrase   
   "roger wilco" might be appropriate.  However, it is quite   
   redundant, as "wilco" would suffice as it indicates that of   
   course you received your instructions.   
      
   Above all:  Learn and use the standard ITU phonetic alphabet.   
   LEarn it, love it!  THough some agencies adopt their own there is a   
   reason the ITU phonetic alphabet was developed and is still used.   
      
   FInally, once again thanks for reading, and participating.   
   TEll us about your organization's drills, what works, what   
   doesn't.  WE can all learn from each other's experiences.   
      
   Last updated 11/03/2011   
      
      
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    * Origin: Emergcom echo moderator (1:116/901)