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== Subject ==
{{prompt|What is this lesson plan about?}}
This lesson plan covers the material of SAR Alberta's Telecommunications Training Standard.

== Authors ==	
{{prompt|List who wrote this lesson plan.}}

== Scope ==
{{prompt|What is included in this lesson, what's not and why.}}
: SAR Fundamentals Manual: Ch.14 "Communications"
: Basic SAR Skills Manual: F-4 "Communications"
: Exercise

This training should include:

* Why communications is important
* Why professionalism, why standards?

* communications methods used in SAR

* Basic radio theory
** Radio waves / light waves
** Frequency
*** Bands
**** VHF: 30 - 300 MHz: 10 m to 1 m
**** UHF: 300MHz - 3 GHz: 1 m to 10 cm
** CTCSS - continuous tone coded squelch system
*** interference
*** FRS sub channels
** Propagation (sara std field)
** Anatomy of radios (sara std field)
** Types of radios
*** Base (sara std field)
*** Hand Held (sara std field)
*** Mobile (sara std field)
*** Repeater (sara std field)
*** Simplex vs Duplex (Repeater)
** Connectors & Mobile Antennas (sara std field)

* Use of radios
** Battery Replacement (sara std field)
** Using the controls (sara std field)
** Posture of the user (sara std field)
** Base Radio setup and use (sara std control)
** Equipment and channels we have access to
  	
* Communication Protocols
** Do not cut into a message being sent.  Listen before you send.   
** choosing your words
*** Sound professional.  Absolutely everyone is listening. 
*** Make sure your information is clear, concise and short.  Think before you speak, not during. 
*** Speak slow and clear. 
*** Use simple words. 
*** Standard Words and Phrases
**** ITU Alphabet (sara std field)
**** numbers
***** 3-Tree 4-Fower 9-Niner
**** Calling procedures (sara std field)
***** Over - I have finished talking and I am listening for your reply. Short for "Over to you."
***** Out or Clear - I have finished talking to you and do not expect a reply.
***** Roger - Information received.
***** Copy - I understand what you just said (after receiving information).
***** Acknowledge - confirm you've received
***** This Is ...
***** Go Ahead
***** Stand By
***** Correction / I Say Again / Say Again
***** Read Back / That Is Correct
**** Wilco - Will Comply (after receiving new directions).
**** Affirmative / Negative / Wilco
**** Use the 24 hr clock to tell time. 
**** Radio check
***** How Do You Read?
***** Strength / Clarity
****** 1 - (unreadable)
****** 2 - (breaking up)
****** 3 - (readable with difficulty)
****** 4 - (readable)
****** 5 - (perfectly readable)
***  MAYDAY / PAN PAN / SECURITY
*** Use of plain language (sara std field)
**** One exception 10-62 means turn radio off or move away from group. (sara std field)
**** PCSAR's codes
**** Death or injury relayed in code or special word by mgmt., instructions. 
** Call Signs
*** All Stations
** Communications Traffic Logging (sara std control)

* Laws
** must identify yourself
** profane language
** false distress
*** e.g. tests that seem real
** privacy

* Hands On use of radios
** Calling other stations (sara std field)
** Passing traffic (sara std field)
** Multiple Radio use simulation (sara std control)

== Prerequisites ==
{{prompt|What should students already know/have accomplished before the lesson is presented.}}

Communications is such an important aspect of SAR, so please review the following material:
:□	{{link|SAR Fundamentals/Communications/Study Guide for Restricted Operator Certificate}}
:□	{{link|Members:Search and Rescue Fundamentals manual/Chapter 14|SAR Fundamentals Manual: Ch.14 (pg 201)}}
:□	{{link|Members:Basic Search and Rescue Skills textbook/Addendum 4|Basic SAR Skills Manual: Addendum 4 (pg F-9)}}
In particular:
:□	memorize the phonetic alphabet
:□	memorize the Procedural Words
:□	study the examples on how the Procedural Words are used

See [[SAR Fundamentals/Assigned reading|Assigned reading]]

== Objectives ==
At the conclusion of this lesson the participants:
# will meet the requirements of the SARA Telecommunications Training Standard

== Time Plan ==
Total Time: 60 minutes
* 2018-12: 75 min -- Brett -- included too much theory
* 2013-02: 52 min

See {{nbw|2016|10|26}}
* {{link|Image:Members:2016-10-26 21 18 56u-scan.pdf}}

{{lesson slides start}}
{{lesson slide|00:00|3 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=1|200px|right]]
Introduce topic title

Introduce Instructor

Present Objectives
{{lesson slide|00:03|4 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=2|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=3|200px|right]]
* Why is communications important in SAR?
** The biggest problem you will ever experience in a SAR situation is lack of communication. 
** Critiques: "The first problem is always communications"
* Why professionalism, why standards?
** communicating clearly with other groups
** expectations of other groups (RCMP)
** working efficiently
** competence

{{lesson slide|00:07|4 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=4|200px|right]]
* What communications methods have you seen used in SAR?
** commercial radios
** HAM radios
** FRS
** cell phone
** sat phone
** SPOT
** inReach
** voice
** hand signals
** mirrors
* ''Discuss value of each''

{{lesson slide|00:11|3 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=5|200px|right]]
* Basic Radio Theory
** all the wireless electronic communications methods are using radio waves
** radio waves are electromagnetic radiation, same as light, longer wavelength

{{lesson slide|00:14|8 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=6|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=7|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=8|200px|right]]
* Wavelength / Frequency
** All radio transmissions have a wavelength
** The speed of radio is the same: 3 x 108 m/s (speed of light)
** The number of waves received at a spot per second changes with the wavelength.  Shorter wavelength, higher frequency.
* Bands:
** VHF: 30 - 300 MHz: 10 m to 1 m
** UHF: 300MHz - 3 GHz: 1 m to 10 cm
* Longer wavelengths bend around hills easier
* Shorter frequencies can carry more information, packed closer together
* Some frequencies bounce off the high atmosphere easier
* Simplex: Transmit and receive on same frequency
** one at a time
* Duplex: Transmit and receive on different frequencies
** simultaneously
** typically using tower: repeater channels, cell phones

{{lesson slide|00:22|3 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=9|200px|right]]
* Power
** Power is measured in Watts (W)
** The more power the further the signal can be received
*** Generally: double the distance, 4 times the power
** advantages to less power?
*** Neighbours can share the same frequency
*** Batteries last longer
* Typical: 0.5 W FRS, 2 W GMRS, 3 W commercial handheld, 30 W commercial mobile, base station
** 5 W HAM portable

{{lesson slide|00:25|2 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=10|200px|right]]
* Polarity
** compare with polarized glasses
** different types of antennas transmit and receive with different polar orientations
** keep antennas upright

{{lesson slide|00:27|3 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=11|200px|right]]
* Signal Encoding
** AM: Amplitude Modulation
** FM: Frequency Modulation
*** more resistant to static interference
** Generally: established by band, fixed in radio

{{lesson slide|00:30|4 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=12|200px|right]]
* Squelch
** radio waves always present, but is it a real transmission?
*** Electromagnetic noise, interference
** suppress speaker based on signal strength
** squelch button: remove squelch
** CTSS: Continuous Tone Squelch System
*** very low frequency tone added to transmission, if not present, suppress speaker
*** tone is so low can't be heard by human ear (maybe elephant, whale!)
*** FRS sub-channels
*** 2 sub-channels of same channel can't be use at same time

{{lesson slide|00:34|1 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=13|200px|right]]
* "Channel"
** Combination of Frequency, Polarity, Encoding, and Squelch to transmit and receive on
** Listed on our radios so other agencies can program theirs to our channel

{{lesson slide|00:35|1 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=14|200px|right]]
* Anatomy of radio
** power source
** microphone
** transmitter / modulator
** antenna
** demodulator / receiver
** squelch / speaker

{{lesson slide|00:36|3 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=15|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=16|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=17|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=18|200px|right]]
* Types of radios
** ''show pictures''
** handheld/portable
** mobile
** base
** repeater

{{lesson slide|00:39|1 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=19|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=20|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=21|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=22|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=23|200px|right]]
* Connectors & Mobile Antennas
** show pictures

{{lesson slide|00:40|8 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=24|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=25|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=26|200px|right]]
* Use of radios
** Battery Replacement
** Using the controls
*** power, volume
*** channel selector
*** squelch
*** transmit (PTT)
*** external mic
** Posture of the user
*** Keep the antenna vertical and fully extended.
*** Distance from outside noise when sending.
*** Keep the mic about 2 to 3 inches away from the mouth at 45 degrees.
*** normal speech levels
*** Hold the mic button down momentarily (1 sec) before and after you speak. 
** Mobile Radio setup and use
** Base Radio setup and use
** Equipment and channels we have access to
*** Channel 1 - Emergency Services repeater
*** Channel 2 - Emergency Services talk-around (Simplex)
*** Channel 9 - Tac 9 (RCMP) - Simplex

{{lesson slide|00:48|2 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=27|200px|right]]
* Communication Protocols
** set by laws of physics
** set by international treaties
** set by Canadian law
** set by SARA standard
** set by professional expectations
* Physics: Do not cut into a message being sent.  Listen before you send.

{{lesson slide|00:50|1 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=28|200px|right]]
* Professional expectations:
** Sound professional.  Absolutely everyone is listening. 
** Make sure your information is clear, concise and short.  Think before you speak, not during.
** Speak slowly and clearly.
** Use simple words.

{{lesson slide|00:51|2 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=29|200px|right]]
* Standard Words and Phrases
* used internationally
** pronunciations are tuned to world-wide speakers
** vocabulary comes from both English and French
* ITU Alphabet
** letters all sound the same when spoken, clipped
** say "Alpha" write A
** A - Alpha (AL fah)
** B - Bravo (BRAH voh)
** C - Charlie (CHAR lee *or* SHAR lee)
** D - Delta (DELL tah)
** E - Echo (ECK oh)
** F - Foxtrot (FOKS trot)
** G - Golf (GOLF)
** H - Hotel (hoh TELL)
** I - India (IN dee ah)
** J - Juliett (JEW lee ETT) (NOTE SPELLING: 2 T's)
** K - Kilo (KEY loh)
** L - Lima (LEE mah)
** M - Mike (MIKE)
** N - November (no VEM ber)
** O - Oscar (OSS car)
** P - Papa (pah PAH) (NOTE STRESS IS ON THE 2ND SYLLABLE)
** Q - Quebec (keh BECK)
** R - Romeo (ROW me oh)
** S - Sierra (see AIR rah)
** T - Tango (TANG go)
** U - Uniform (YOU nee form)
** V - Victor (VIK tor)
** W - Whiskey (WISS key)
** X - X-ray (ECKS ray)
** Y - Yankee (YANG kee)
** Z - Zulu (ZOO loo)

{{lesson slide|00:53|2 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=30|200px|right]]
* Numbers
** 3-Tree
** 4-Fower
** 5-Fife
** 9-Niner
** Hundred
** TOUsand
** Decimal

{{lesson slide|00:55|12 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=31|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=32|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=33|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=34|200px|right]]
* Calling procedures
** Treat like all your job is, is to pass on written messages.  Think telegraph.
** Call Signs
** Format: (Dest Call Sign)x3, THIS IS (Source Call Sign)x3, (message) OVER (or OUT)
** This Is ...
** Over - I have finished talking and I am listening for your reply. Short for "Over to you."
** Out or Clear - I have finished talking to you and do not expect a reply.  Channel available for other use.
** Roger - Information received.
** Copy - I understand what you just said (after receiving information).
** Acknowledge - confirm you've received
** Stand By
** Go Ahead
** Correction / I Say Again / Say Again
** Read Back / Message is / That Is Correct
** Words Twice
** Shortening the format

{{lesson slide|01:07|6 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=35|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=36|200px|right]]
* Call Signs
* "All Stations"
* "Control" - Network Control
* SARA Standard:
** A - Prefix assigned to Medical Teams
** B - Prefix assigned to specialized resources, not just boats - boats, ATVs, Bikes, Horses
** D - Prefix assigned to Dog Teams
** H - Prefix assigned to Helicopter units or the aircrafts call sign may be used  e.g.. C-GAHM
** S - Prefix assigned to Search teams
** T - Prefix assigned to Tracking teams

{{lesson slide|01:13|2 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=37|200px|right]]
* Specialized messages: answers
** Affirmative / Negative
** Wilco - Will Comply (after receiving directive/request).

{{lesson slide|01:15|2 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=38|200px|right]]
* Specialized messages: time
** Use the 24 hr clock to tell time.
** Hundred
* Zulu - UTC (GMT) aviation

{{lesson slide|01:17|2 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=39|200px|right]]
* Specialized messages: radio check
* How Do You Read?
* Strength / Clarity
** 1 - (unreadable)
** 2 - (breaking up)
** 3 - (readable with difficulty)
** 4 - (readable)
** 5 - (perfectly readable)
** 5 x 5, "loud and clear"

{{lesson slide|01:19|5 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=40|200px|right]]
* Specialized messages: emergencies
** MAYDAY / PAN PAN / SECURITY

{{lesson slide|01:24|8 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=41|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=42|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=43|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=44|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=45|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=46|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=47|200px|right]]
* General messages
** use of plain language
*** not "10 code": 10-4
** exceptions:
**  SARA standard: 10-62 means turn radio off or move away from group. (RCMP)
** Death or injury relayed in code or special word by mgmt., instructions. 
** Pincher SAR's codes

{{lesson slide|01:32|2 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=48|200px|right]]
* Communications Traffic Logging
** SARA Standard: log must be kept ICS-309 form
** acting as radio relay

{{lesson slide|01:34|3 min}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=49|200px|right]]
* Canadian law
** must identify yourself
** profane language
** false distress
*** e.g. tests that seem real
** privacy

{{lesson slide|01:36|}}
* Hands On use of radios
** Calling other stations
** Passing traffic
** Multiple Radio use simulation
{{lesson slide|01:36|}}
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=50|200px|right]]
[[Image:Communications-Lesson-Slides.pdf|page=51|200px|right]]
Questions
{{lesson slides end}}

See [[:Image:Communications-Lesson-Plan.odt|Plan (odt)]] [[:Image:Communications-Lesson-Plan.pdf|(pdf)]]

== Aids ==
{{prompt|What materials are needed or useful in presenting this lesson.}}
* Slides {{document format links|Communications-Lesson-Slides}}
* FRS Radios
* PCSAR's portable radios
* Brett's portable ham radio
* Example of PCSAR's mobile radio
* computer projector
* laptop
* computer presentation slides
* for each student:
** phonetic alphabet (handout or in text book)
** hand-out:
**: [[PCSAR DOC-51 Communications Log]]

: see sar/pc/training/subject/sar-fundamentals/components/subject/11-communications

* {{subpage|Phonetic alphabet}}
* {{subpage|Examples}}
* {{subpage|Exercise}}
* {{subpage|Study Guide for Restricted Operator Certificate}}
* {{link|Image:Members:2013-02-27 19 38 17u-scan.pdf}}

== Question bank ==
{{prompt|List of questions suitable for an review/exam of this section.}}
see {{subpage|Question bank}}

== Frequently Asked Questions ==
{{prompt|What are some of the questions that students typically ask.  Include the answers.}}

Q: How do external cell phone boosters work?

A: See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_repeater

== Feedback ==
{{prompt|When has this lesson been presented.  What was the feedback.}}
* 2010-10-06 Wuth presentation to PCSAR.  Projector did not work.  Ran out of time for exercise.
* see msg Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:32:17 -0600

== License ==
{{prompt|What can others do with this lesson?}}

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Canada License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ca/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA.

== Acknowledgements ==
* SAR Alberta Telecommunications Training Standard
** Rick Koinberg (VE6RAK)
** Jack Humpries (VA6IX)
** Bill Heise (VE6SAS)
** Lyn Michaud (VE6OGN)
* Earlier lesson plans
** Jake Waiboer, Chris Jorgensen

== Reference Material ==
{{prompt|If you need to cite sources, do so here.}}

* SAR Fundamentals Manual: Ch.14 (pg 201)
* Basic SAR Skills Manual: Ch.F-4 (pg F-9)
* Study Guide for Restricted Operator Certificate
** http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/vwapj/ric21.pdf/$FILE/ric21.pdf
* [{{sarawiki|Telecommunications_Standard}} The 2009 SAR Alberta Telecommunications Standard]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service GMRS on Wikipedia]

== Notes ==
{{prompt|Any additional notes, etc.}}

== Exercise ==
<pre>

19:45 to (Return to base by) 21:00

ALL STATIONS, THIS IS SAR BASE, PINCHER CREEK SAR WILL BE CONDUCTING
  RADIO TRAINING ON THIS CHANNEL UNTIL 2200 HOURS. OUT

5 teams + base

Base Team
    - person likely to be at base
    - any that may need to leave early

Practice Objective: Create as big a circle as possible around Pincher
Creek.  Each team is in contact either directly or indirectly with
base.

Vehicles
    - Driver (more experienced radio person)
    - Radio (less experienced radio person)

- If no communications for 5 minutes head back towards base

- Base is in control

Underlying Objective: To practice proper use of radios.

Use the techniques we've described.

If you hear a communication that doesn't follow the protocol that
   we've learned, respond as if it was 'garbled'.

Sometime between 20:30 and 21:00 everyone at base.

Follow up comments.

</pre>

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 == Notes ==
 {{prompt|Any additional notes, etc.}}
+== Exercise ==
+<pre>
+:45 to (Return to base by) 21:00
+  ALL STATIONS, THIS IS SAR BASE, PINCHER CREEK SAR WILL BE CONDUCTING
+  RADIO TRAINING ON THIS CHANNEL UNTIL 2200 HOURS. OUT
+teams + base
+  Base Team
+    - person likely to be at base
+    - any that may need to leave early
+Practice Objective: Create as big a circle as possible around Pincher
+Creek.  Each team is in contact either directly or indirectly with
+base.
+   Vehicles
+    - Driver (more experienced radio person)
+    - Radio (less experienced radio person)
+   - If no communications for 5 minutes head back towards base
+   - Base is in control
+Underlying Objective: To practice proper use of radios.
+   Use the techniques we've described.
+   If you hear a communication that doesn't follow the protocol that
+   we've learned, respond as if it was 'garbled'.
+Sometime between 20:30 and 21:00 everyone at base.
+Follow up comments.
+</pre>