Standards

 

 Standards.  Everyone has standards for everything.  We run into standards issues with amateur radio partly because there are so many ways to communicate within the amateur radio community.  Everyone has their pet mode.  An old joke goes is that if there are 3 amateur radio operators in any given town, there will be two amateur radio operators.  

For those looking for basic standards fro EmComm, here is a short list I compiled.  It is based upon 25 years of experience working in EmComm to include working as a State Section Emergency Coordinator. These should be your daily minimum requirements.

Standard 1.  All emergency Amateur Radio Stations (ARS) have the capability for interstate radio communications without the use of internet, VOIP, or other infrastructure related networks.  Interstate is further defined as the capability to establish two-way radio communications out to approximately 300-400 miles.

Standard 2.  All  emergency ARS be capable of operating with the following modes. 1) Voice /SSB.  2) Digital, using PSK31.  3) Optionally; be able to operate using Winlink and/or CW (morse code) at 10 wpm or above.

 Caveats. Yes, I know there are “better” digital modes than PSK31: however, for the novice/beginner to digital modes the easiest to use is PSK31.  A group I was in tested this. No, I am not interested in FT8, JSCall or any of those other “weak signal” modes, they take too much time, send too little information, and can be finicky to use. Let’s keep it simple. Caveat to the Caveat.  Modes like FT-8 are fun.  If you like them, use them, but do not consider them as a part of your EmComm arsenal.

 Equipment.  This is not about equipment, it’s about results. A 5 watt radio with a good antenna can have a better signal than a 1,000 watt radio and a poor antenna.  Whatever works for you is great.  If you ask me, I’m going to say Icom for HF.  I’ve been doing this for 25 years and that’s what works for me.

Training.  Seek out your local amateur radio clubs to help you get started.  For the most part clubs are generally helpful and fun.  They also offer licensing classes, or you can study online (USA) and recently some are testing online.