[CTSARA] CTSARA Digest, Vol 76, Issue 12

Sun Dec 8 12:33:02 EST 2013

Fellow operators-

I encourage you to participate in nets whenever possible. Even if you aren't comfortable on them. Nets are a great chance to learn you radio, common practices, protocols, and in my opinion, the voices of other hams. 

Even if you just listen the first few weeks.  Then just check in. Soon you will be comfortable and eager to participate. 

Now, I'll step on my soap box.  As a reminder, this list if for discussion, not debate. 

I can understand and appreciate where Mike is coming from, but I need to point out the obvious; by name and responsibility Amateur Radio operators and CERT volunteers are not necessarily professional communicators. Hams do it as a hobby (though many participate in service events to give back to their community and as a "thank you" for the band privileges), and CERT volunteers do to it to give back to their community. 

Though many hams are professional communicators by trade, and many CERTs are helpful by trade (nurses, doctors, sanitation etc). 

That said, I wouldn't expect CERT hams to have communication skills on par with emergency dispatchers or police chiefs.  But through practice, training and drills they can become clear communicators. 

What is described below is similar to what some old timers feel about the HF bands. They don't care for people who don't follow (and by follow, I mean aren't aware and haven't been trained of) the "rules" of HF.  Often these offenders are hams new to HF and want to learn how to operate properly; but the old timers are "too much better" then the new guys (and don't remember what it was like) to teach them. 

I remember my first experience with nets.  I used an old health kit my cousin gave me and listened from my bedroom as a teenager. I was WAY to scared to even check in. I had no idea what the protocol was and I was afraid of talking or interrupting others.  It was only after a mentor told me I should just try to check in ("no traffic") that I tried. By the third week I was talking on the net. Like every new ham, I just needed to feel comfortable.  I made lots of mistakes, and the more experienced operators politely corrected me and help me learn protocol.   I also learned a lot by listening to the pros on scanners; something not easily done these days in the age of digital trucked radio systems. 

Years later, I practiced proper net operation on the area ARES/RACES nets during my commute. I was not a part of either group, but participating helped everybody operate better as we leaned from each other.  (This was in another part of the country where both groups are very active and intertwined with the elaborate county public communications system.)

So, while I'm not a professional dispatcher, I'm pretty good at handling a net when I need to.  But I only leaned from practicing. I've only been able to participate in one real drill; my other experience is dozens public service events.

Jonathan
W3EIC

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 7, 2013, at 10:52 PM, mikejmardis at aol.com wrote:
> 
> Jon,
>      We have spoken about this before. And I understand where you are coming from. 
>      For anyone who might be following this thread and are offended by it, you are part of the problem. 
>      At the risk of sounding cocky. If you want to know how emergency communications are handled, I would be more than willing to meet with you. 
>      Furthermore, if you want to know why CERT does it wrong, I will be more than willing to bring recorded examples and 20yrs experience to show you. 
>      I don't say this to " Be Better Than You".  I say it because CERT has an opportunity to be successful and the only thing in the way are the people not willing to venture into the reality of what your role will be and how to do it. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Dec 7, 2013, at 22:41, ctsara-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>> 
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>> Today's Topics:
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>>  1. Re: CTSARA Digest, Vol 76, Issue 7 (Jon Perelstein)
>> 
>> 
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2013 22:41:02 -0500
>> From: Jon Perelstein <jon.perelstein at gmail.com>
>> To: Mike Mardis <mikejmardis at aol.com>,    Stamford Amateur Radio
>>   Association <ctsara at mailman.qth.net>
>> Subject: Re: [CTSARA] CTSARA Digest, Vol 76, Issue 7
>> Message-ID:
>>   <CAFdYx3VosFPEdfGhgP2ZGcZ+GmgLPPzRdUs3A9FSfUCfxX55VQ at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>> 
>> Mike,
>> 
>> What Jonathan Solomon said.
>> 
>> Region 1 CERT has a lot of newly licensed hams who have never before spoken
>> into a radio.  We are taking every opportunity to get them to use their
>> radios to get used to using radios.  Get their ears attuned to voice over
>> FM, get them to stop being mike shy, get them used to properly holding and
>> operating their radios, etc.
>> 
>> The net is also an opportunity for us to share techniques and situations
>> we've come across.  For example, at today's drill one of the SFR
>> firefighters taught me how to do a "squelch feedback search", and the net
>> will be a good place to teach the people in the other CERTs.
>> 
>> Jon
>> 
>> 
>> ------------------------------
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>> End of CTSARA Digest, Vol 76, Issue 12
>> **************************************
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