Emergency Communications Planning

The ability to communicate electronically today is considered mundane, not even rating as a luxury in our technologically saturated world. Basic communication capabilities can be significantly reduced, or simply become nonexistent, during many emergency situations. Natural disasters can take out communications and power, system overload can prevent your call from getting through, and system administration can block public access for emergency use. Your personal emergency plans should prepare your family for what to do and where to go during an emergency without communications capabilities.

This guide is a basic outline for you to design an emergency communication plan for yourself and your family. It is not intended as a full emergency plan, this only addresses communication. You should develop your own internal communication procedures including callsigns, codes, signals and frequencies. Keep the plan simple yet effective. Keep your equipment simple, effective and as portable as possible. Keep spare parts to make emergency repairs. Learn your radio systems so you can maintain and repair them, and keep them working to the fullest. If you are able, keep additional batteries, radio units, antennas and cables as backups.

Frequencies & Bands
40 Meter and 80 Meter are the most commonly used SSB High Frequency bands for distance communication. 11 Meter/Citizens Band is the most commonly used AM band, but this band has limited distance capabilities or applications, and can be crowded. The most popular FM band is 2 Meter, which relies on repeaters to operate over distance. FRS Radios are the most common radio communications available to the public, and they also have limited distance capabilities.

Typically even very old HAM radios will cover 10M, 20M, 40M & 80M. You should set up multiple previously designated frequencies on the bands you intend to use. You should have multiple bands available to cover different eventualities. Designate multiple frequencies to monitor on all bands you will use. Alternate the frequencies used in order to reduce the capability of outsiders tracking your communications. If using SSB, alternate upper and lower sidebands at times as well.

Most Commonly Used Radio Frequency Bands

FRS-Family Radio Service-Local Use
Capabilities: Line Of Sight to Several Miles
Frequency Range: 462.5625- 462.725 MHz

2 Meter-Local to Distance Use
Capabilities: Typically 30 Miles Radio, Repeater Use Allows Greater Distance
Frequency Range: 144.0-148.0 MHz

10 Meter-Regional to Distance Use
Capabilities: Vary By Radio Power, Interstate Communication Typical
Frequency Range: 28.000-29.700 MHz

11 Meter-Citizens Band-Local Use
Capabilities: Line Of Sight to Several Miles
Frequency Range: 26.965- 27.405 MHz

20 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: Interstate to International Communications
Frequency Range: 14.000-14.350 MHz

40 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: International Communications
Frequency Range: 7.000-7.300 MHz

80 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: International Communications
Frequency Range: 3.500-4.000 MHz

160 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: International Communications
Frequency Range: 1.800- 2.000 MHz

Communication Checks
During an emergency situation, most people or groups will not have the luxury of monitoring the radio full time. Excessive use of communications gear is time consuming, uses additional resources that may be limited including electricity, and may also draw unwanted attention from others that are monitoring for communications. Due to this, a 3/6, 2/6/12 or 6/12 hour check in schedule may be preferable. The ability to accurately monitor and track time may be a problem during some emergency situations, so there should be some flexibility in the plan. Certain days or dates can also be set for checks, or you can set checks daily, weekly, etc.

Sample 6/12 Radio Check Schedule
0300 HRS - Optional/Emergency Check-1/2 HR Monitor
0900 HRS - Regular Check-1 HR Monitor
1500 HRS - Optional/Emergency Check-1/2 HR Monitor
2100 HRS - Regular Check-1 HR Monitor

Join A Communication Network
http://americanpreppersradionet.blogspot.com/
American Preppers has started a weekly radio check in. Check them out if you are a HAM. They are currently using the 20/40/160 Meter bands for weekly checks.


See you on the airwaves.


Jeff Citizen