SAR Fundamentals/Communications

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Communications is such an important aspect of SAR, so please review the following material:
Communications is such an important aspect of SAR, so please review the following material:
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:□ Study Guide for Restricted Operator Certificate http://www.obsr.ca/radio-ric23.pdf
+
:□ Study Guide for Restricted Operator Certificate http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01397.html
:□ {{link|Members:Search and Rescue Fundamentals manual/Chapter 14|SAR Fundamentals Manual: Ch.14 (pg 201)}}
:□ {{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)}}
:□ {{link|Members:Basic Search and Rescue Skills textbook/Addendum 4|Basic SAR Skills Manual: Addendum 4 (pg F-9)}}

Revision as of 16:13, 3 June 2016

This page is based on the Lesson plan template.

Use that template to make similar pages.

Contents

Subject

What is this lesson plan about?

This lesson plan covers the material of SAR Alberta's Telecommunications Training Standard.

Authors

List who wrote this lesson plan.


Scope

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

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:

□ Study Guide for Restricted Operator Certificate http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01397.html
SAR Fundamentals Manual: Ch.14 (pg 201)
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 Assigned reading

Objectives

At the conclusion of this lesson the participants:

  1. will meet the requirements of the SARA Telecommunications Training Standard

Time Plan

Total Time: 60 minutes

  • 2013-02: 52 min


Time Material


00:00

3 min

Introduce topic title

Introduce Instructor

Present Objectives

00:03

4 min

  • 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


00:07

4 min

  • What communications methods have you seen used in SAR?
    • commercial radios
    • HAM radios
    • FRS
    • cell phone
    • sat phone
    • SPOT
    • voice
    • hand signals
    • mirrors
  • Discuss value of each


00:11

3 min

  • Basic Radio Theory
    • all the wireless electronic communications methods are using radio waves
    • radio waves are electromagnetic radiation, same as light, longer wavelength


00:14

8 min

  • 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


00:22

3 min

  • 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


00:25

2 min

  • Polarity
    • compare with polarized glasses
    • different types of antennas transmit and receive with different polar orientations
    • keep antennas upright


00:27

3 min

  • Signal Encoding
    • AM: Amplitude Modulation
    • FM: Frequency Modulation
      • more resistant to static interference
    • Generally: established by band, fixed in radio


00:30

4 min

  • 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


00:34

1 min

00:34

  • "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


00:35

1 min

  • Anatomy of radio
    • power source
    • microphone
    • transmitter / modulator
    • antenna
    • demodulator / receiver
    • squelch / speaker


00:36

3 min

  • Types of radios
    • show pictures
    • handheld/portable
    • mobile
    • base
    • repeater


00:39

1 min

  • Connectors & Mobile Antennas
    • show pictures


00:40

8 min

  • 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


00:48

2 min

  • 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.


00:50

1 min

  • 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.


00:51

2 min

  • 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)


00:53

2 min

  • Numbers
    • 3-Tree
    • 4-Fower
    • 5-Fife
    • 9-Niner
    • Hundred
    • TOUsand
    • Decimal


00:55

12 min

  • 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


01:07

6 min

  • 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


01:13

2 min

  • Specialized messages: answers
    • Affirmative / Negative
    • Wilco - Will Comply (after receiving directive/request).


01:15

2 min

  • Specialized messages: time
    • Use the 24 hr clock to tell time.
    • Hundred
  • Zulu - UTC (GMT) aviation


01:17

2 min

  • 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"


01:19

5 min

  • Specialized messages: emergencies
    • MAYDAY / PAN PAN / SECURITY


01:24

8 min

  • 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


01:32

2 min

  • Communications Traffic Logging
    • SARA Standard: log must be kept ICS-309 form
    • acting as radio relay


01:34

3 min

  • Canadian law
    • must identify yourself
    • profane language
    • false distress
      • e.g. tests that seem real
    • privacy


01:36


  • Hands On use of radios
    • Calling other stations
    • Passing traffic
    • Multiple Radio use simulation


See Plan (odt) (pdf)

Aids

What materials are needed or useful in presenting this lesson.

See Slides (odp) (pdf)

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

Question bank

List of questions suitable for an review/exam of this section.

see Question bank

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

What can others do with this lesson?


Original content copyright © 2010-2013, Brett Wuth.

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

If you need to cite sources, do so here.


Notes

Any additional notes, etc.

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