Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Hawaii Amateurs

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for amateur radio emergency communications in Hawaii are based on these standards:


Preparation
  • Each agency/location is responsible for the acquisition and support of emergency communications, including the operating location, emergency power, equipment, operators, message handlers, technicians, etc to assure itself of its communications capabilities during emergencies. It can be in the form of commercial and unlicensed radios, clerical staff and portable generators, for example. It does not have to be amateur radio operators and equipment.
  • Amateur radio and amateur radio operators assists and supplements this basic emergency communications effort, especially for communications between agencies where they do not share the same type of radio equipment. These amateurs register with the agency they serve. Non-amateurs may also register with the agency they serve.
  • Operators are trained, equipped and proficient to handle formal and tactical messages in an accurate and timely fashion.
  • Amateur radio operators are trained and equipped to handle HF NVIS, VHF/UHF FM, and packet radio for emergency communications in varying degrees.
Alert and Activation
  • A mechanism of alert is used which includes the National Weather Service (NWS), Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), State Civil Defense (SCD) and Oahu Civil Defense (OCDA). Participants are encouraged to get a NOAA National Weather Service receiver with SAME decoding to receive alert bulletins via the National Weather Service. Frequencies active in Hawaii include 162.40 and 162.55.
  • The Diamond Head 147.06 net for State-wide amateurs is established until the EOC can be manned and made operational.
  • Initial command net on Diamond Head 146.88 is established for Oahu amateurs.
  • The HF net for State-wide amateurs on 7.088 MHz is established until the EOC can be manned and made operational. If 80 meter propagation is better, the net convenes on 3993.5 MHz and status bulletins are issued on the VHF state-wide repeater network.
  • Where equipped, responders activate APRS to send out beacons indicating information such as response and activation status and frequencies monitored.
  • Equipment and operators are deployed, configured and operated as nets. See Oahu response plan and net overview for overview information.

Deployment and Chain of Command

  • The Incident Command System (ICS) is used as the model for scaling the initial response into a larger response in an orderly fashion. Participants are encouraged to be trained in NIMS (National Incident Management System) procedures and terminology.
    Operation

  • Controlled nets are under the control of a Net Control Station (NCS).
  • Formal messages are handled in NIMS ICS 213 Format and ARRL Radiogram Message Format.
  • Well-composed messages should include:
    • Addressee (name, title, location, optional telephone number)
    • What is the situation?
    • What is being requested?
    • Who is the requestor?
    • Where should the material or people be sent? Where is the transfer point?
    • What are the available times for arrival?
    • Is the access to the site expected to be clear?
    • Who should the responder locate?
    • Is there a frequency, telephone number or other means of contact in the local area? Or, while the response is in progress?
    • Who should be notified when the response is under way?
    • Any other considerations?
    • Signature (name and authority of sender)

  • Messages are sent via the most direct route possible, with a minimum of relays. Stations should expect to use simplex radio techniques and not be reliant on repeaters that can fail and stop operating during disasters. See other web pages on this site for additional information.
  • The sending station looks for the receiving station on the net that supports the receiving stations's organizations and requests to the Net Control Station (NCS) that the two stations pass the message, usually by changing to another frequency and contacting each other directly. Short tactical messages can usually be passed on the radio net. If the sending station cannot contact the receiving station's net directly, then sending station relays the formal message to a radio net that can forward the message.
  • Receiving stations should listen for special operating instructions from the sending station and follow them. There may be equipment or other limitations at the sending site, and that station will not have the luxury of time to explain the situation. Follow the instructions to ensure contact or proper handling of messages. Similarly, if the receiving station has special instructions, the sending station should be ready to comply.
  • Relays to those in the neighborhood can be accomplished via unlicensed FRS radios. See Neighborhood Emergency Communications Plan for details.
Find out more by contacting:  rhashiro(remove this part)@hawaiiantel.net
Copyright © 1997-2008 Ron Hashiro
Updated: September 6, 2008

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