How do you use HAM in an Emergency?

[Spikepretorius]

last year when I brought up bring a small airband radio the idea was criticized.

If you're not a qualified pilot or aircrew you shouldn't be in possession of an airband radio that can transmit. It's a security risk
Well it's like that here in my part of the world. You can't have every Tom, ******** and Harry walking around with airband radios. In our SAR set up we have ultra strict rules with airband and even then the licencing authorities are not impressed and want to clamp down further.

 

[matt s]

As I understand the law you can have a ham radio that can transmit outside of the band, it's only doing so that is illegal.

As previously stated in an emergency any communication available is legit.

 

[Spikepretorius]

Causing havoc with passing aircraft is a bigger risk than the injured or lost guy you're trying to help in an emergency

 

[Herbie]

As I understand the law you can have a ham radio that can transmit outside of the band, it's only doing so that is illegal.

As previously stated in an emergency any communication available is legit.

In my friend's experience, its actually the exact opposite, at least with respect to an emergency.

He transmitted out of band (on a Sheriff's frequency, I believe) to get help for an injured motorcyclist who went down in a remote part of the county. Once the S&R operation was over, the FCC was fine with the transmission, but basically forced him to surrender or destroy the modified radio.

 

[craig]

I wish the SPOT showed the lat/lon on the outside of the device like a regular GPS and that you could edit the SPOT 911 message like you can the HELP message. In my HELP message I include the HAM and FRS frequencies that I can monitor. That way my friends can get me on the radio, and I can tell them I need a half-shaft or whatever before they start heading down the trail. If the Lat/Lon was shown on the outside then those coords could have been relayed via the cell phone caller.

I was on a trip with another club where a gal wandered off from the group. After searching for a couple hours we decided to call SAR. Cell phones didn't work, nobody had a SPOT, but we were able to send a truck up a hill where he hit a repeater and got a guy on the radio. The SAR guys decided to mobilize while we kept searching. About 2 hours later, we found her and were able to call off the SAR guys just before they left their staging area. I think you use the best technology available to you at the time.

 

[xtatik]

I believe it's legal to talk on any frequency if a life is at risk. (I think that was a Technician test question?). But last year when I brought up bring a small airband radio the idea was criticized.

It's a good way to get help in very remote places.

It is legal to use any means necessary. But, without my reading through this whole thread, I'm curious to know why an airband radio is being considered? If you have a ham radio, why would you need airband? Why would you need anything other than a ham radio in an emergency?

 

[dzzz]

Causing havoc with passing aircraft is a bigger risk than the injured or lost guy you're trying to help in an emergency

Many commercial aircraft leave a radio on civilian guard. If an air crew can't take a mayday and forward the communication without drama they probably need to find another line of work.

 

[xtatik]

Many commercial aircraft leave a radio on civilian guard. If an air crew can't take a mayday and forward the communication without drama they probably need to find another line of work.

If this is so, I agree it may be one way to get help and I'm sure they could handle it.......but why this route? It seems like an extraneous and possibly less reliable method. Seems odd to bother them when there are plenty of very capable hams that could do the same?
If you're licensed, why go outside your normal privileges when in fact, your ham radio would probably be a more reliable means? Why not call another ham with your location, coords and the nature of your problem?

 

[matt s]

In my friend's experience, its actually the exact opposite, at least with respect to an emergency.

He transmitted out of band (on a Sheriff's frequency, I believe) to get help for an injured motorcyclist who went down in a remote part of the county. Once the S&R operation was over, the FCC was fine with the transmission, but basically forced him to surrender or destroy the modified radio.

Wow, never heard of that happening. I guess I would be ok with it if having the capability saved someone. What's the loss of a radio in the grand scheme of things.

 

[matt s]

If this is so, I agree it may be one way to get help and I'm sure they could handle it.......but why this route? It seems like an extraneous and possibly less reliable method. Seems odd to bother them when there are plenty of very capable hams that could do the same?
If you're licensed, why go outside your normal privileges when in fact, your ham radio would probably be a more reliable means? Why not call another ham with your location, coords and the nature of your problem?

I think the idea had to do with communicating directly with aircraft involved in a rescue. Also since most Ham is line of sight (HF excluded of course) if you can't hit a repeater or another ham simplex then trying to hail a passing aircraft on guard frequency would seem like a pretty good option to have.

 

[xtatik]

I think the idea had to do with communicating directly with aircraft involved in a rescue. Also since most Ham is line of sight (HF excluded of course) if you can't hit a repeater or another ham simplex then trying to hail a passing aircraft on guard frequency would seem like a pretty good option to have.

Ah, I see, and can understand the want to communicate with an inbound aircraft. But, it might not be necessary if a well communicated assessment were communicated earlier.
In the other scenario....For me, the more I think about it, the idea of working out of privilege and attempting to contact a passing aircraft seems very iffy and would be dependent on too many variables. It would make sense to either not venture beyond repeater range or simply have the proper radio for the adventure. A satellite phone would suffice but even a licensed Technician could use HF in an emergency situation. If you're a ham...why not put a fully capable radio in your truck and be done with it?

 

[matt s]

If you're a ham...why not put a fully capable radio in your truck and be done with it?

Plan on it. Just don't tell my wife. :sombrero:

Also I like airplanes....

 

[gary in ohio]

While using any radio in an emergency is legal by FCC rules but only in an emergency. Emergency is defined as an immediate threat to loss of life.
The emergency rule was NOT designed to allow to you plan what radio you will use in an emergecny, but give you the option in case you needed one.

Its not in keeping with the FCC rules to say Ill take an air band radio just in case. There are other option that should be explored.

 

[7wt]

Just about every Amateur Radio News podcast I listen to has a story where the FCC fined some guy or gal $10,000 for some illegal activity. Some are blatantly illegal and should be fined while others aren't. My practice is to buy a radio that only allows you to transmit on legal freqs so there will never be an issue. Instead of trying to modify your radio to transmit on police bands and what nots, why not just get a general ticket and carry a small HF radio in a Pelican case tossed in the back with the rest of your gear. A small rechargeable RC car battery and a coiled up dipole could easily fit in the case so you would be good to go in all situations. Maybe I am missing something but this seems to be the best plan I can come up with.

 

[HenryJ]

How about joining your local volunteer firefighters , or SAR and be authorized to operate on emergency frequencies for your area, as well as receive the training on radio operations used in your area as well.

I can and have contacted incoming emergency units as needed, but it is different when you are an emergency responder.

I think it has already been said, but I'll repeat it.

The cell phone call directly to 911 will be the best choice. If you do not have cell coverage, your best contact with an amateur radio is going to be to know your local repeater system. Let a base with a phone make the third party call to 911 for you. The repeater system will be likely to be monitored. Many are linked on the weekends to give a huge reception area.
Give the universal distress : "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday" . This will clear the frequency to your traffic and have all ears listening. Followed this with the nature of your emergency: "Traumatic injury , need medical help" Give a precise location. GPS Lon-Lat is great, but the county, nearest town , road names and nearest intersection will get ground units coming faster.
Contacting emergency units via radio should be a last resort. It will only serve to confuse in most cases. If you know the department protocols and frequencies that can help to limit the confusion.