Appendix M Glossary of Terms

2 METERS An FCC assigned Amateur Radio band covering 144-148 MHz. Most popular band for mobile and portable radio operation. Repeaters are operated nationwide.

9 1 1 EMERGENCY SERVICE A system which provides fast, easy access via telephone for citizens in need of emergency help such as police, fire, or medical.

ACC Area Communications Center

AEC Assistant Emergency Coordinator. Working under the Emergency Coordinator, AEC's are responsible for specific areas of emergency communication preparedness and operations.

AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR A person holding a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission. Dependent upon class of license issued, may use specific Amateur Radio frequency bands for non-commercial purposes.

ARC American Red Cross or Amateur Radio Club

ARES Amateur Radio Emergency Services. The emergency communications organization sponsored by the ARRL. Dedicated to providing public service communications on a voluntary basis during times of disaster.

ARRL American Radio Relay League. The national organization for Hams.

ATV Amateur Television. FCC rules permit television operation in particular frequency bands.

AUTOPATCH Equipment which allows an amateur radio station to communicate via the telephone system. Connects transmitter and receiver of a fixed station to a telephone line and provides the necessary controls for both the telephone system and the radio equipment. Often used for reporting emergency situations to call 9 1 1.

BASE STATION An amateur radio station installed at a fixed location. Appendix M Glossary of Terms (Cont.)

BREAKER Anyone who interrupts a conversation between two other stations. Normally involves priority or emergency communication.

CENCOM Term used to identify the Kitsap County Central Communications Center.

CHANNEL The transmit and receive frequencies which are used together.

COVERAGE The area over which a radio station can conduct a two-way communication.

DEC District Emergency Coordinator. Coordinates and supervises the emergency communication groups within an ARRL District (e.g., Olympic Peninsula.)

DEM Department of Emergency Services. That organization at the state, operational county, or local government level charged with emergency planning, emergency preparedness activities, and disaster operations responsibilities.

DESENSE (or desensitization) An interfering signal causes a radio receiver to become less capable of receiving weaker signals.

DISTRESS CALLS Normally applies to requests for emergency assistance from ships or aircraft.

DNR Department of Natural Resources

DTG Date Time Group. Zulu date, Zulu time, month and year.

DTMF Dual Tone Multiple Frequency. The tone signalling system commonly known as Touch Tone. Each button on the pad will cause two-tone frequencies to be simultaneously generated. A sixteen button pad utilizes eight tones.

Appendix M Glossary of Terms (Cont.)

EC Emergency Coordinator. Appointed by ARRL to administer and coordinate local amateur radio emergency communication preparedness and operations for ARES. The County ARES Emergency Coordinator also holds the County position of Assistant RACES Radio Officer.

EOC Emergency Operations Center.

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency.

HAM Commonly used term meaning Amateur Radio operator.

HANDHELD Small portable transceiver capable of being hand-held.

H&W Health and Welfare. Messages relating to the health and welfare of private citizens.

ICS Incident Command System

INPUT In a repeater station, refers to the receiver frequency.

INTERMOD (OR INTERMODULATION) The combining of two or more radio signals to produce other frequencies. Commonly the sum or difference of those frequencies, or multiples of them.

LERN Law Enforcement Radio Net

MACHINE Slang. Refers to the equipment of an amateur radio repeater station.

MARS Military Affiliate Radio System.

NCS Net Control Station. Directs and coordinates all stations participating in any emergency or routine net operation.

Appendix M Glossary of Terms (Cont.)

NTS National Traffic System. The ARRL sponsored network for handling formal, written message traffic. Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Handles only formal traffic, local or world wide traffic.

NICAD OR NICKEL CADMIUM The type of rechargeable battery most often used with portable radio equipment.

OFFSET The difference between the transmitting and receiving frequencies of a transceiver. Some offsets include, 2 meters at +/- 600 kHz; 450 MHz at +/- 5 MHz; and 220 MHz at +/- 1.6 MHz.

OMNIDIRECTIONAL Refers to a non-directional antenna radiation pattern.

OUTPUT The transmitting frequency or power of a radio.

PACKET RADIO A digital communications system using computer terminals transmitting via amateur radio stations. Provides a fast reliable record of communications.

PICKET FENCING A condition noticed in an FM receiver under poor signal conditions. Particularly noticeable with moving vehicles. Signal strength drops and noise level increases at regular intervals. Like dragging a stick along a picket fence. May cause squelch to turn on and off rapidly.

POINT-TO-POINT COMMUNICATIONS Communication between fixed locations.

POLARIZATION Refers to the orientation of radiation from an antenna. Vertical polarization is normally used in base-(or repeater)to-mobile communications. Horizontally polarized antennas would be undesirable for repeaters since only vertical antennas are practical on a vehicle.

PTT Push to talk.

PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY Governmental agencies charged with protecting lives and property. For example, Police, Fire and State Patrol.

Appendix M Glossary of Terms (Cont.)

PUBLIC SERVICE Non-profit. For the benefit of the general population.

QRU Abbreviation for: I have no traffic.

QST Abbreviation for: A general call to all amateurs.

QTH Abbreviation for: Your location.

QUIETING The effect of a signal upon an FM receiver. The strength of the signal determines how much the audible noise level is reduced.

RACES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. An FCC established service, managed by FEMA, state and local governments, to provide disaster management or civil defense communications. In Mason County, ARES members who are registered with the Department of Emergency Services are considered part of the RACES unit of the Mason County Department of Emergency Services.

RACES RADIO OFFICER Chief County RACES Radio Officer - An employee of the County who holds a valid Amateur Radio license and who is the RACES volunteer appointed to oversee RACES activities on behalf of the County. County RACES Radio Officer - The RACES volunteer responsible for RACES activities throughout Mason County. The County RACES Radio Officer holds the ARES position of Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Operations.

RELAY STATION A station which serves as an intermediate receiving and transmitting location. Passes messages between stations which cannot communicate directly.

REPEATER A station which receives transmissions from a mobile, portable, or fixed station and re-broadcasts them for extended range. Usually located at a relatively high elevation.

RESOURCE NET The network operations involving the coordination of personnel and equipment for an Amateur Radio Emergency Service activity. Appendix M Glossary of Terms (Cont.)

SEC Section Emergency Coordinator. Coordinates emergency activities within an ARRL section. Works with local ARES groups through the DEC.

SERVED AGENCY Any governmental agency or relief organization with which local ARES groups have a working relationship.

SET Simulated Emergency Test. A drill.

SIMPLEX OPERATION Refers to radio operations where both transmitter and receiver operate on a common frequency.

SKYWARN An official arm of the National Weather Service, operational at all times. Amateurs are encouraged to become official spotters and report unusual weather occurrences. The NWS (National Weather Service) then disseminates NWS advisories to local authorities and media.

SQUELCH TAIL The noise heard in a receiver when a transmitter is unkeyed.

TACTICAL NET A radio net organized for the purpose of handling the operational communications associated with an emergency situation.

THIRD PARTY TRAFFIC Messages originated by or addressed to someone other than the originating amateur station.

VOX Voice operated transmission.

WSP Washington State Patrol.

Appendix N Prowords/Prosigns

The Key to Accurate, Efficient Communications.

The use of procedure words and signs (prowords/prosigns) is an important part of radio traffic handling. They provide a framework in which traffic can be passed in minimum time with a minimum of errors and misunderstandings. They are the traffic equivalent of the phonetic alphabet. Using prowords/prosigns assures that radio operators always know what is being said, even under poor conditions.

Poor conditions are always with us, particularly during an emergency. We almost never say "over" when using a repeater or when just chatting, but during an emergency net, using "over" avoids misunderstandings, especially when operating on a simplex frequency. Using prosigns/prowords is a good idea during an emergency, and are a necessity when poor conditions are added. RACES operators need to have a working knowledge of these prosigns/prowords for use in emergency communications.

In a major emergency, it's entirely possible that ARES, REACT, RACES, CAP and/or MARS operators will be working together. CAP and MARS radio operators already use these prowords/prosigns, as does the National Traffic System (NTS).

On the following page are the definitions of some of the most commonly used prowords/prosigns:

(DO NOT ADD OTHER WORDS TO THE FOLLOWING PROWORD LIST)

Appendix N Prowords/Prosigns (Cont.)

PROWORD/ PROSIGN DEFINITION ADDRESS GROUP Group containing TO and/or FROM address or call signs. AFFIRMATIVE Yes. ALL AFTER The portion of the message to which referenced is all that following (the next word given). ALL BEFORE The portion of the message to which referenced is all that precedes (the next word given). BREAK I am indicating separation of the text from other parts of the message. CALL SIGN The word group that follows is a call sign. CLOSE I am closing my station (closing down). CORRECT You are correct. CORRECTION I have made an error. Transmission will continue from the last correct word. DIRECT A station copied directly. No relay is required. DRILL Word used to indicate that the text of a message is not real and is for exercise purposes only. FIGURES The next word group is or begins with numbers. FROM Signifies the ADDRESS GROUP or CALL SIGN of the message originator. CHECK (GROUPS) The number of words, initial and figure groups within the text of a message. During exercises, include the proword DRILL or TEST as a part of the text. INITIAL The next word group is or begins with letters.

Appendix N Prowords/Prosigns (Cont.)

PROWORD/ PROSIGN DEFINITION I SPELL I will spell the next word phonetically. LETTER THE TEXT There is a word or words missing. Repeat the first letter or number or each word group phonetically. MAYDAY International distress call in emergencies. MORE TO FOLLOW There is more traffic following this message. NEGATIVE No. OUT This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is required or expected. OVER This is the end of my transmission to you and response is necessary. RELAY Transmit this traffic to or for other stations. Use CALL SIGNS or TACTICAL CALLS. ROGER I have received and understood your last transmission. (It does not mean "yes" or signify agreement.) SAY AGAIN Repeat all or portion indicated of last message. TEXT The body of a message. Includes DRILL or TEST in the lines before and after the actual text lines. THIS IS This transmission is from (call sign). TO Signifies the ADDRESS GROUP or CALL SIGN to whom the message is going. UNKNOWN STATION Call sign/identity of a station is unknown. WAIT I must pause for a moment.

Appendix N Prowords/Prosigns (Cont.)

PROWORD/ PROSIGN DEFINITION WELFARE Message precedence is WELFARE (3rd highest). WILCO Will comply. Assumes "Roger". WORDS TWICE Transmit each phrase or word twice. WRONG Your last transmission is not correct.

Appendix O International/Local Phonetic Alphabet

There is no such thing as "common spelling" in emergency volunteer communications work. If a proper name must be transmitted, always spell it out using the international phonetic alphabet. Most public safety agencies, except federal ones, use the public safety phonetic alphabet and we need to be aware of the differences when communicating directly with them.

LETTER INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY LETTER INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY A B C D E F G H I J K L M ALPHA BRAVO CHARLEY DELTA ECHO FOXTROT GOLF HOTEL INDIA JULIET KILO LIMA MIKE ADAM BOY CHARLES DAVID EDWARD FRANK GEORGE HENRY IDA JOHN KING LINCOLN MARY N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z NOVEMBER OSCAR PAPA QUEBEC ROMEO SIERRA TANGO UNIFORM VICTOR WHISKEY XRAY YANKEE ZULU NORA OCEAN PAUL QUEEN ROBERT SAM TOM UNION VICTOR WILLIAM XRAY YOUNG ZEBRA

Many times radio conditions are poor and words must be over-exaggerated to be understandable, particularly numbers. The pronunciation of numbers in poor conditions should be as follows:

ONE WUN SIX SIKS TWO TOO SEVEN SEVVEN THREE THAREE EIGHT ATE FOUR FOWER NINE NINER FIVE FIYUV ZERO ZEAROW (never say "oh")

Appendix P Station Identification and Locations

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTERS TACTICAL CALLSIGNS

Mason County EOC "MASON EOC"

East ACC " "

Belfair Fire Station (NORTH ACC) "BELFAIR"

Shelton Fire Station (SOUTH/WEST ACC) "SHELTON"

(CANAL ACC) "HOODSPORT"

Mason General Hospital (MED NET) "HOSPITAL"

Tactical call signs shall be utilized at all times. In addition, FCC regulations (Part 97.119(a) of the FCC Regulations) require the Radio Amateur to identify by call sign in these specific instances:

* At the END of a contact (a series of transmissions).

* At 10 minute intervals.

The EOC identity always remains constant, while the operator or station Radio Amateur call ID alters with a change in operators. This ID procedure provides operations clarity and continuity in times of stress and disorientation typical of emergency operations.