I have observed over the years that during actual emergency communications, and I admit rarely does our ARES, EOC amateur radio operations or amateur radio in general, get involved in emergency communications. But when and if we do, we like to turn on a voice recorder on each frequency used. A written log can be written later.
For disaster relief communications, a written log sould suffice, Normally "record traffic" is used to contact other agencies or NGOs (non-govermental organizations)...especially if a formal response is requested/expected. We must remember that each organization needing emergency or disaster/disaster relief communications will have their own personal set of rules/specification concerning voice and written/record communications. Amateur radio must be flexable to provide the customer what then need, expect or are used to using. There is no wrong or right answer. Walt/K5YFW -----Original Message----- From: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of John Bradley Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 5:39 PM To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [digitalradio] Re: Field Day and PSK31 Emergency voice communications has it's place, especially UHF and VHF short haul, in support of the responding agencies. We, for example , often support Search and Rescue teams in the field, using VHF and often GMRS., and often the served agencies system as well. We are not limited to ham bands only. While a radio log is kept of all transmissions and incoming messages, the log is a summary of the trafic, not the exact, word for word of the message. Where digital comes into play is passing formal traffic between sites, when radio system are overloaded and we take up some of the traffic. These by nature are formal written traffic, often technical in nature which requires word for word transmission, and formal message handling skills on the part of the hams. For those of you who have done formal traffic under less than stellar conditions, this can be a very laborious process. This is why we have gone to developing digital comms from our command post, and at the local EOC, so that formal traffic can be passed as fast as the typist can go. we are set up to use VHF, and HF as required since we service a large area where 80 and 40M would be effective , up to a range of 500km . This is not "long haul" but enough to be a challenge. Most long haul traffic would be formal messages as well, and digital modes coould certainly make that exercise less painfull. Digital modes in the recovery phase of and incident would also be practical, handling the often overwhelming volume of health and welfare traffic. What would really be great would be an easily established gateway between a digital mode and the internet to pass off messages on the form of email, besides the Pactor 1 2 3 that is currently available. That is one item on my wish list right now........ John VE5MU ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Turner To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [digitalradio] Re: Field Day and PSK31 ORIGINAL MESSAGE: At 11:12 PM 6/27/2006, ke7iej wrote: >You can with digital modes get accurate copy even while using the ssb >mode and not be able to hear the tones. And like the field day i was >at we couldnt get reliable communications with SSB on 20/40/80 with >100 watts. in marginal conditions id imagine cw or some of the >digital modes could get the job done easier than voice alone. ------------ REPLY SEPARATOR ------------ I would agree that in some cases, a digital mode will get through when SSB voice will not. However... in a real emergency where help is needed right now, it is far more likely that communication could be established by SSB voice operating from a car or other makeshift location. Digital modes require a computer and someone on the other end who is similarly equipped, and that's a bit much to ask in a real emergency. Once the immediate need has passed and things settle down, digital may have its place. To sum up: Get on the mike and start hollering. SSB voice will be much more likely to be heard and replied to, in my opinion. This could change in the future but for now, that's how I see it. Bill, W6WRT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.0.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.5/377 - Release Date: 6/27/06 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Need a Digital mode QSO? Connect to Telnet://cluster.dynalias.org Other areas of interest: The MixW Reflector : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/themixwgroup/ DigiPol: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Digipol (band plan policy discussion) Yahoo! 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