Operating Procedures
How to pass messages quickly and accurately
It is essential that all operators use tactical call-signs and not their own call-signs, other than as required by BR68 regulations.
The objectives are simple and three fold
Calling In
Passing the message
Calling out
Calling In
It is realized that internationally there are three levels of urgency for message content. However for our work we want to keep things as simple as possible so the committee have agreed to limit to two levels
Priority
Routine
You need to report an injury so you will call:-
Control from Raynet 3 Priority
You want to pass walker numbers, you call:-
Control from Raynet 3 Routine
In both cases you then WAIT until Control responds. If you dont get a reply within say 10 seconds you repeat the call. If you still fail to get an answer you will assume either that Control is talking to someone else that you cannot hear, or your radio is not transmitting. So then you have to try an alternative.
Mobile phone call to a Control number
In a priority situation and still no answer dial 112 or 999
At the completion of your message you need to make it clear that it is all you have to say. This will become clear in the example contacts later.
Message Passing
How to pass a message will depend solely on the content of the message. For a priority message, for example an injury, your first statement will be:-
"We need an ambulance here"
The Control operator, or another member of the Control team, will get the ambulance mobile, they will then take down other relevant details. Nature of injury, description of patient. Note that you do not pass any details such as name of patient.
Passing of routine messages will again depend upon the content. Passing walker numbers, for example, will consist solely of saying:-
"I have numbers for you"
Control will respond
"Send"
You will then pass your numbers, slowly, in groups of five, for example:-
"2; 45; 73 to 79 inclusive; 23; 207. Confirm
Control will then read back this list to confirm that the numbers have been received correctly and will end by saying "send more?".
You reply either by passing further numbers or by saying "end of numbers" or "nothing further"
Control will then reply "Out to you" or if Control has nothing further "Control to standby".
The important point is to pass your message as quickly as possible consistent with ensuring accuracy. Messages need to be clear and comprehensible. In order to ensure comprehensibility you need to use your microphone properly. In order to do this you need to know a little about the human voice.
Contrary to popular belief the voice sounds do not emanate from the mouth horizontally! They exit downwards at an angle of around 45 degrees. Consider the drawing above. The voice starts in the larynx, and passes over the vocal chords, up through the throat and then bends around into the mouth, following the line of the palate, and due to the shape of the palate, the sounds reflect off the palate downwards.
Due to this the loudest sounds will be found slightly below the mouth and NOT directly in front of the lips. Holding the microphone horizontal around the chin is by far the best place. This has an added important benefit, you avoid the popping sounds caused by words containing the characters P and B. It will also assist in suppressing the sibilant sounds of words containing the letter S.
When conditions are poor it may be necessary to spell out words. You do this using the International Phonetic Code as follows:-
A = Alpha N = November
B = Bravo O = Oscar
C = Charlie P = Papa
D = Delta Q = Quebec
E = Echo R = Romeo
F = Foxtrot S = Sierra
G = Golf T = Tango
H = Hotel U = Uniform
I = India V = Victor
J = Juliet W = Whiskey
K = Kilo X = X-Ray
L = Lima Y = Yankee
M = Mike Z = Zulu
Passing numbers you will always spell them out:-
15 = One Five and NOT fifteen
207 = two zero seven
50 = Five Zero and not fifty
0 = Zero please NOT OH
Example Contacts
Outstation to Control
Outstation (O/S) - "G1XBV @ RAYNET One to Control - Routine"
Control (C) - "One send "
O/S - "No marshals or water at this location - over"
C - "Roger one will contact organiser and advise message timed
0845 hrs - Control to standby"
Control to Outstations
C - "Raynet One from Control"
O/S "Raynet One copy "
C - "Organiser advises that marshals with water & cups ETA your location in 10 minutes message timed at 0854 "
O/S "All received (or understood) - Raynet One to standby "
C "Out to you Control to standby "
Control all station call
C "Control to all stations we have the following message timed at 1100 hrs .. "
C Raynet one acknowledge
O/S "Raynet one all copied.
C Raynet two acknowledge
O/S Raynet two all copied
Similarly for the other outstations, in sequence.
4. Outstation to Control
Control from Raynet 3 Routine
3 send
From 3: I have numbers for you.
3 send
From 3: 25; 56; 214; 312; 27 to 35 inclusive confirm
C: 25; 56; 214; 312; 27 to 35 inclusive, over
From 3 affirmative, more
From Control, send more
From 3 226; 65; 12; 4 and 90 end of numbers confirm
C: 226; 65; 12; 4 and 90 confirm
From 3: Affirmative or correct (or negative if something wrong.
C: Out to you: Control to standby.
Note
When passing to Control a list of participant numbers, it is essential to pass them in groups of 5 and not too quickly. Also dont wait to accumulate a bunch of numbers. Pass whatever you have at the next opportunity when there is a lull in radio traffic. Times need not be exact as a few minutes lag in logging such information is not critical.
Regarding message priority most will be Routine but any message which has a critical time element or any message involving H & S matters should be given Priority status.
Copyright Surrey Raynet: Written by G1XBV and G3OYU