The document provides guidance on effectively using 2-way hand portable radios. It describes the basic features and controls of these radios, including volume controls, channel selectors, antennas, and push-to-talk buttons. It emphasizes the importance of voice procedures when communicating over radios, such as using call signs, keeping messages brief, and using phonetic alphabet. The document aims to maximize the use of these radios for business continuity and emergency response situations.

1. Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively

2. Objectives Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Provide an overview of hand portable 2 way radios capabilities Describe common features and controls Describe sensible voice procedures and phonetics

3. Overview Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Effective communications are vital in any business continuity or emergency response Handheld 2 way radios can greatly contribute to an effective response being immune from cell phone network congestion But, they need some familiarisation and techniques to maximise their use. They are not as familiar as mobile telephones

4. Facilities Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively PMR446 in Europe and FRS in USA and Canada are licence free and cheap to buy Range is dependant on terrain but for planning purposes use 1km in built up areas and 2km for open countryside PMR446 uses 8 channels, FRS has 14 Additional techniques to provide up to 83 sub channels

5. Features and Controls Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Individual models will vary but the basic features are common Volume Control Usually this also usually doubles as power switch. It may sound obvious but always check the device is on Channel Selector It is important to understand channels with private mobile radio. PMR446 can use 8 channels, FRS has 14. These frequencies or channels are shared amongst all users so under heavy local use some interference/congestion may be experienced. Simply changing channels will usually solve the problem but in order to provide even more channels most systems now use additional techniques to provide sub channels. CTCSS provides up to 50 sub channels and DCS 83 although some handsets may implement more or both

6. Features and Controls Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Individual models will vary but the basic features are common Antenna Antennas are usually integral to the device and where possible make sure it is vertical when in use to achieve the best reception Squelch Control Squelch control is used to control the noise coming form the speaker when not transmitting. If no squelch control were available the radio would output a constant radio hiss noise and be very off putting. Squelch suppresses this background noise. Different handsets implement squelch control in different ways, some using manual controls and others using preset or automatic controls. Manually adjusting squelch consists adjusting down until you can just no longer hear the background hiss. Too much and you will not be able to hear genuine calls.

7. Features and Controls Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Individual models will vary but the basic features are common Talk Button Hand portable 2 way radios are NOT mobile phones, they allow simplex or one way conversations. On a normal telephone both parties can talk and hear and the same time. With radio devices only one person can transmit at a time, when transmitting you cannot hear and vide versa. All devices have a ‘push to talk’ button that switches on transmit mode. Until this button is released no one else will be able to transmit. If everyone talks nobody can understand so a degree of discipline or procedure is required when using 2 ways radios Speaker and Microphone Usually integral to the device but some device accessories can include external speakers and microphones

8. Voice Procedures Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively General rules Speak only when you need to Keep it short Eliminate jargon unless everyone can understand Consider a formal network with call signs if there are more than a hand full of users ALLWAYS test and rehearse before you actually need them

9. Voice Procedures Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Call Signs Enable easy identification of users on the network Agree in advance either individual call signs or formats You can make them informative e.g. Front Gate Make sure everyone knows them Print them out and distribute (stick onto handsets)

10. Voice Procedures Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Calling Someone Think about what you are going to say Press the talk button and pause for a second GREETING Hello RECIPIENT Control 1 WHO AM I This is South Gate 1 MY MESSAGE Everyone is now assembled at this location ENDING Over Release the talk button

11. Voice Procedures Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Ending the message OUT – I have finished speaking and don’t want an answer OVER – I have finished speaking and want an answer or acknowledgement

12. Voice Procedures Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Answering Leave a gap before answering Press the talk button and pause for a second WHO AM I Control 1 MY MESSAGE Acknowledged ENDING Out Release the talk button

13. Voice Procedures Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Other Voice Procedure Pro Words To repeat something that is critical or to request the sender repeat themselves use I say again Say again If you make a mistake just say Wrong Then say the corrected section

14. Voice Procedures Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Mixing Letters and Numbers Use the prefix figures when starting the number section Use the phonetic alphabet For example, ABC123F would be spoken as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Figures One, Two, Three, Foxtrot

15. Voice Procedures Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Phonetic Alphabet A - Alpha J - Juliet S - Sierra B - Bravo K - Kilo T - Tango C - Charlie L - Lima U - Uniform D - Delta M - Mike V - Victor E - Echo N - November W - Whiskey F - Foxtrot O - Oscar X - Xray G - Golf P - Papa Y - Yankee H - Hotel Q - Quebec Z - Zulu I - India R - Romeo

16. Using 2 Way Hand Portable Radios Effectively Thank you [email_address] End