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Training

WLSAR Training programme

Currently, registrations are requested via the member's listserve up to 8 weeks prior to an event. To register, reply to the Wellington Land SAR training co-ordinators.

However, by the end of May 2006, members should be able to register through this website.

If members identify training needs which have not been catered for in the current training schedule, then this should be discussed with the Wellington Land SAR training co-ordinator .

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Radio Comms

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NZLSAR references

Section 5 (pages 21 to 41) of the New Zealand Land SAR Field Guide (Roger Curl, 2nd Edition Jan 2006. ISBN 0-473-01542-1) refers to SAR Communications. Additional information about the Mountain Radio Service can be found in the NZ Mountain Safety Council publication, 'Bushcraft', Outdoor Skills for the NZ Bush, Chapter 7, page 48 (Goldring and Mullins, 3rd edition 1995, ISBN 0-908931-11-5). All WLSAR members should study these books.

Why Radio Skills?

Radio skills are important during a search because the SAR teams act as the eyes and ears of the Operations Manager. WLSAR team members must know;
  • How to operate WLSAR's radios, and
  • How to communicate effectively.

WLSAR uses the following three types of radios.

  • Icom F10 VHF transceiver
  • Icom F3 VHF transceiver
  • PolSAR (SR3) HF radio (as of June 2006)

Standard Operating Procedures for Radios

Teams will be issued with at least one radio and a spare set of batteries. Before departing for the field, check that the radio works! To do this,
  • Confirm which channel is being used. (check the briefing sheet)
  • Turn the radio on. (The VHF handhelds should beep at you)
  • If the radio does not appear to be working, check the battery pack.
  • Check your volume (press the squelch button to provide some noise).
  • Call up base for a radio check.
  • If the radio still does not seem to be working, either change the battery pack or get some help from the AREC/logistics person issuing out the gear.
  • Follow the communications procedures described below. Remember to always have your current grid ref handy.
  • Unless otherwise instructed, always keep the VHF Handhelds turned ON.

Quick reference guide

VHF Sets; ICOM F10

The F10 set only has 2 controls on the top.
  1. An On/Off Volume control.
  2. A red lock/unlock button

There is one button on the left hand side of the set.

  1. The Push to Talk (PTT) button. Press to transmit, release to receive.
  2. Squelch buttons, (above the PTT switch) which when pushed, make the set hiss.
  3. A light button to illuminate the LCD panel.
  4. There are also four buttons on the front of the set (below the LCD)
    • 'P0' changes the transmit power level (Hi/Low)
    • 'P1' Talk-around on/off. If the radio is on a repeater channel, will make the set transmit on simplex on the repeater output channel.
    • 'P3', and 'P4': Up channel, and down channel buttons. Enables the user to change to a different pre-programmed channel.

These sets come with a clip-on dry-cell battery pack which is easily replenished when it goes flat. Practice changing the batteries. Don`t throw them away!

ICOM F3

  • 'P0' Hi / Low (Tx power)
  • 'P1' press to open squelch
  • 'P2' Key lock On/Off
  • 'P3' Talk around On/Off
  • 'Arrow Keys' Change channel
  • ' - ' key: Changes the channel page (provides access to a second bank of stored channels.

PDF Documents from Icom

Operating the HF PolSAR III radios

Note In June 2006, the Condor and Codan HF radios were replaced by PolSARIII HF sets.

User Instructions for PolSAR 3 HF radio (PDF 25 KB)
Dipole antenna instructions for PolSAR 3 HF radio (PDF 19 KB)
'End Fed Antenna' instructions for PolSAR 3 HF radio (PDF 19 KB)

Remember:

When given a radio, check that it works! Do this by:
  1. Setting the antenna up. Don't hold the set by the antenna!
  2. Check that the set works. (Try calling base or switching to the desired channel - you should hear a hiss or some noise from the speaker.)
  3. If it doesn't seem to work, check that the batteries are correctly installed; (If the set still doesn't seem to work, ask the AREC person for help).
  4. Before transmitting, check that the channel is clear.
  5. To transmit, press the transmit (PTT) button firmly; to receive, let it go.
  6. Switch the set off after you have finished using it.

More Information

The two basic radio communications systems for SAR teams use High Frequency (HF) and Very High Frequency (VHF)/ Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radios. VHF is very versatile and is used most often, especially in urban, urban fringe, and less isolated backcountry environments. However, despite the ability to fly in portable repeaters, HF is still the primary means of communication in the backcounty, and SAR teams are still generally provided with an HF set. SAR comms at base will usually be run by Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) volunteers. These people should be able to help sort out problems with radio gear.

Links to Wellington Radio groups

HF SSB

HF means 'High Frequency'. HF frequencies are found between 1.8MHz and 30MHz. HF radios work by bouncing signals off the ionosphere, which makes them reliable in rugged terrain, and thus the primary means of backcountry communication. The reliance on the ionosphere means that the sets have both a day and a night frequency. The sets use Single Sideband (SSB), which may make some peoples voices hard to understand. Atmospheric noise, or other noise, may require that messages be repeated. Be patient and speak slowly but clearly if conditions are difficult. HF sets use long wire antennas, which take time to set up and pack up again.

For even more info on HF communications, check out the following links:

VHF FM.

VHF means 'Very High Frequency'. VHF frequencies are found between 30MHz and 300MHz. The VHF hand-held sets have an antenna attached to the top of them. VHF signals are "line of sight" (the signals can be obstructed, by hills, trees, buildings, etc). Therefore the VHF sets will often be used in conjunction with a repeater. A repeater is a machine (usually placed on top of a hill; eg Mt Climie) which retransmits radio signals. Field teams should be told if a repeater is being used, and where it is located.

Operating without repeater is called Simplex (or 'talk around') communication. This is point to point contact between sets. It's possible that when using simplex, not all stations will be able to hear each other. In this situation, messages might have to be relayed.

For effective operation, the radio must be held upright and steady. If the signal to/from base is weak, alter position slightly to see if the signal improves (eg; walk around a bit... sometimes moving less than half a metre will suffice). Try having the set/antenna between you and base/the repeater. Once you're in the best spot, don't move!

Discussion about HF and VHF

The advantage of VHF over HF is that teams can communicate while on the move, instead of having to stop and erect antennas every time a sked is due. The disadvantage of relying only on VHF is that in some situations contact is lost between base and the SAR teams eg: if the repeater fails, or the team enters a shielded comms spot.

HF Antennas.

HF radios are provided with a wire antenna which can be altered in length. For day operation, a shorter antenna is needed, so make sure the clips on each leg of the antenna are disconnected. For night operation, the whole antenna has to be erected with the clips connected.

The antenna works best when it's away from powerlines and fences, and when it is off the ground (so try to raise it up as far as possible, especially above wet scrub and trees).

Communicating over the Radio.

Radio technique is diferent to using a phone or speaking face to face with someone. This is because the conversation takes place in a series of overs, with one person speaking at a time. Don't try to speak over someone, or interject, because the person speaking won't realise they're being interrupted.

Points to remember when speaking over the radio:

  1. Know what you are going to say.
  2. Prepare your message before contacting base; write down what is to be said. eg: Map co-ordinates, peoples names, number of people in a group, etc.
  3. Have a pen and paper ready for any messages from base.
  4. Slow down; people tend to get excited and speak too quickly. Remember, someone is either writing your message down or entering into a computer log, so break it up into groups of 5-7 words.
  5. Hold the radio about 5cms from the mouth and speak clearly towards it.
  6. Don't shout but don't speak too quietly either.
  7. Leave a pause between overs (a second or two), in case there is priority traffic.

      Procedure: Note: Callsigns should be based on a well known nearby geographical location (especially if HF is being used)

      Start by naming the station to be called followed by the name of the
      station calling.
      eg: Rimutaka Base, this is Rimutaka 1, over.
      It may not be necessary to use call signs once contact has been established; just pass the message, using "over" between overs.

      eg: Rimutaka Base, Rimutaka Base, Rimutaka Base, this is Rimutaka 3, over.
      Rimutaka 3 from Rimutaka base, go ahead with your message, over.
      Roger, we are at grid reference 754 832, the bridge over Turere Stream, and are commencing task, over.
      Roger, you are at 754 832 and are commencing task. Any further messages?, over.
      Base from Rimutaka 3, I have no further traffic, over.
      Roger Rimutaka 3, Rimutaka Base out.

  8. If the message you have received contains critical info, or numbers/letters that are easily confused, then repeat it back to the sender. This confirms that you have accurately recorded it.
  9. Only use the word 'Out' at the end of the contact.
  10. If told to standby, do so, but sometimes it pays to check if you think base has forgotten you. Use common sense.
  11. If you have to spell a word, use phonetics.(see below)
  12. If an abbreviation is used, make sure the other station knows what it means.
  13. If a body is expected to be found, or is found, don't mention it over the radio in plain language. Be discrete. A code will have been arranged for such a circumstance. If an emergency arises during a SAREX, clearly state 'This is a Genuine Message' (WLSAR sometimes uses the term “No duff”, but this is a non-standard term).
  14. If the word "Emergency" is repeated three times, then the channel must be cleared for priority traffic. Other words used to indicate an emergency include Mayday, Pan, and Securite (pronounced Saycuritay).
  15. Keep transmissions short to save power.

REMEMBER:  Keep transmissions short and Keep the sets dry.

Phonetic Alphabet:

The phonetic alphabet is used for both letters and numerals. It is useful when communication is difficult due to bad signals. It can also avoid confusion with similar sounding numbers.

Phonetic pronunciation:

NOTE: The emphasis is on the syllables in upper case

A - ALpha
K - KIlo
U - Uniform
 0 - ZERO
B - BRAvo
L - LIma
V - VICtor
1 - WUN (One)
C - CHARlie
M - MIKE
W - WHIskey
2 - TOO
D - DELta
N - NoVEMber
X - X-ray
3 - TREE (Three)
E - ECho
O - OScar
Y - YANkee
4 - FOWer (Four)
F - FOXtrot
P - PaPA
Z - ZUlu
5 - FIFE (Five)
G - GOLF
Q - QueBEC
  
6 - SIX
H - HoTEL
R - ROmeo
. - DEcimal (point)
 7 - SEven
I - INdia
S - SiERra
. - (full) STOP
8 - AIT (Eight)
J - JUliet
T - TANgo
  
9 - NINer (Nine)


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