Simplicity is not a bad thing. Complexity isn't bad either as long as some thought goes into the process. Consider the primary tool of our endeavor, the radio. One of the first VHF-FM radios I owned was a single channel rig that required crystals and a fair amount of tuning and tweaking. But it worked and was easy to operate. You turned it on, adjusted the volume and squelch, and talked.

One of the most complex radios I also owned at the time was an aircraft rig I used for ground-to-air coordination during search missions. The unit required separate transmit and receive antennas and had about 30 or so channels. Beyond selecting the correct channel and connecting both antennas, it was easy enough that another operator could step into the communications van and get right to work.

Today I "don't leave home without it." I'm not talking about a credit card, but my wallet with several "help" cards and my planner which has various pages dedicated to how to program and operate radios. Let's see, I've got a whole page of notes for my tiny Alinco DH-S41. The radio fits in a tiny pocket, but if I need to change its configuration, you need the manual. I've got several pages on how to configure my Icom H-16 and U-16, some repeater and remote base instructions, and a bundle of pages for my HF mobile. My wallet has cards on how to use the Icom marine and aircraft portables along with the Amateur Radio VHF and UHF rigs. Besides the gear that might go portable or mobile, I've got another set of notes in the shack in case something there needs changing.Operator confusionThis is all well and good, but what happens when another operator comes to assist in the shack or when I need to loan a rig to someone in the field. I would hate to have someone at the site of an air crash (with a loaned radio) and have the rescue chopper request a frequency change. It's not as simple as changing from channel A to channel B.

Recently I overheard a conversation during an emergency callout where one operator was asking others how to change the setup on one of the radios used at a communications center. Several operators were asked if they knew how to change the radio setup but none knew. Finally the operator discovered how to effect the needed change. Fortunately the change was not critical to providing emergency communications.Keep it reliableThis does point up several principles of emergency service: simplicity, reliability, and flexibility. Simplicity lends itself to the other two! The more complex a system becomes, the less reliable it is (more things to go wrong) and the less flexible it is (many things to change). Before you take umbrage, let's explore the reasons for a complex system.

Your communications system might require frequency agility (ability to change to many frequencies) or need interconnectivity with other systems. You might need a secure link to send personal information such as names of deceased persons. There are reasons for a complex system and I would never rule one out simply for simplicity.

So here's the thought for the month: When possible, design your system from a response perspective. For example, pre-plan your frequency assignments and, where possible, include equipment that meets the need. Perhaps you have two emergency centers you would like to connect via packet radio. I have an old junker radio that is not always useable because of intermod (the old funnel front end design). When packet is connected to this rig, the speaker is muted and I don't hear the intermod, which (while irritating if you had to listen to it) isn't bad enough to prevent a good data link. It's a simple-to-use rig with a minimum of knobs and dials which makes it good to use in this application.

Let's say you have a simplex frequency your group always uses for on-scene coordination. Because it's simplex and not dependent on a repeater and you don't need a sub-audible tone, this fits well with older radios such as an Icom 2AT or a crystal controlled unit. This also applies to your computer connection to packet. An old 8088 or a 286 works great for a packet station. With proper startup files, you simply need to turn it on and you're ready to type. By using DOS you even avoid the blue screen of death. (Don't you think that would be a great QSL card for Bill Gates?)

OK, you say, but what if a complex system is needed? That's fine as long as you consider the baggage that comes along with that design. First among my design suggestions would be to include instruction manuals or help sheets with the installation. While it sounds silly, I recommend that you take the help sheets, laminate them with the thickest plastic you can get, punch a hole in the sheets and chain them to the radio or console. By connecting the instructions to the radio you prevent the knowledgeable operator from pushing them out of the way or perhaps storing them away in an unlikely place (a place where people would not normally look, especially in times of crisis).Label the cable   I would also label everything. If you've got a simple site with one run of coax, one power connector, etc., the need is not as critical. But what happens if you've got an HF antenna, several public safety antennas, a dual-band high-gain vertical and a beam? Labels now become critical. I would go so far as to not consider the project done until labels and instructions are firmly attached to the equipment and wires (including power, speaker, ground, and network).

Another idea you might use in a multiple radio environment is to place speakers in unusual places. In my shack I've put several speakers in the ceiling and a couple under the desk. When I've been operating for a long period of time I get sleepy and my attention span shortens. There have been times someone has called, the signal was clear, but it just didn't register. (This usually happens when radio activity slows and I'm in a listless state of exhaustion.) 

One remedy has been to route the audio to an unexpected location which zaps me to attention when the noise comes, for example, from under the desk or above and behind. It's the unexpected that grabs my focus which is a good thing if someone is unable to repeat the transmission because of my state of lethargy. One of the items in my "extended" grab-and-go collection is a small speaker with a long wire that allows me to route the audio, if needed, to an unexpected place when I get tired.

The audio I route to the "unexpected" is always the priority channel, or where I might expect the greatest need for action. This might be your on-scene channel, your aircraft channel, or the ground operations frequency - it's the place where your inattention would have the worst effect.

Another concern with complex stations are auxiliary audio sources such as scanners, stereos, computers with games, televisions, etc. These devices seem to become more popular, especially in emergency operations centers and communications centers built in the past few years. I presume the driving force is the need to be informed and connected with the outside world. 

During some events it's good to have many sources of information. You might need weather data or obtain site information from a live media feed. Often I've been able to monitor other agency transmissions and relay information to air crews to improve coordination. The concern is that you use these sources for critical information and not for entertainment. 

One such story involves a dispatch center, a television, and a football game. As the interest in the game grew, attention to calls became impaired. You can imagine the possible consequences. Because the TV was turned up, you could hear the game with every transmission (which is one reason to avoid over-amplified console microphones).

My most recent chuckle involved a youth who wanted to bring a computer game so he'd have something to do when things were slow. I can just imagine how much focus he would have had. Can you envision the scenario: "Hang on just a minute, I'm just about to escape the castle and I'm being chased by wizards." I don't think so.

As you design your response plans and equip communications centers, vehicles, and pack your portable gear, the complexity is up to you. I won't tell you to avoid new rigs or to not purchase equipment with lots of features - just understand what you're getting and how it fits with your purpose and design. And be sure you keep the instruction manual handy!Your response   Several months ago I railed on those that interfere with nets and other operations. I wasn't surprised to find that some of you have had personal experience with these folk and have discovered they're not always the newly licensed operator. In several of your stories, it was the Extra Class "operator" making the choice to lower his or her standards. What a sad commentary.    I would caution any of us from entering the mental notion that poor operators have not passed the code and are newly licensed. It would possibly surprise us to discover who some of the culprits are!A new year   This year portends to be one of the most exciting. In a few months all of the "year" digits will change and it'll be 2000. With all the concern for the Y2K and all the media attention, I'll be glad when it gets here - whether or not I'm prepared for it. There are dire predictions concerning air travel, electric power, elevator safety, and on and on and on. When it happens on Saturday, 01 Jan. 2000 it will be nice to just get on with life and deal with what happens. We're an imaginative people and we'll deal with it. If some things didn't get fixed, we'll fix them. Trust me, it will be OK.

An article in PC World did suggest that we use common sense as we prepare for that day. Some of their suggestions were to have copies of important documents and financial records, have enough cash on hand for a week or two in case of banking problems, don't plan unnecessary travel, fill any medical prescriptions in advance of that day, and have a week of food and water on hand. Heck, that's good advice for any day of the month. I think I would add that I'd have my batteries charged and have my spare fuel tank filled for the generator, but other than that, sit back and enjoy a good football game.

I hope you've had a productive year and are looking forward to 1999. In the past months we've explored many topics and I hope I've prodded you to get involved and make a difference through your service to others. Use your common sense and discover what works best for you, your own group, and your own community. That's the challenge of public service. Some things work well everywhere, some ideas only work for you. I hope you keep thinking and trying different ways of tackling challenges and not let your mind (and the hobby of Amateur Radio) stagnate.

Until next month, keep prepared, enjoy life, make a friend, enjoy a QSO, and discover what's important. Best wishes from Salt Lake City!

Back to top