Mini-Tips – Part 6 August 9, 2006

Bob Kenyon – K8LJ

Have three power sources available

If you are going to use a hand held transceiver, figure that the NiCad battery will eventually give out and you won't have any way to recharge it. Many new hand held transceivers have optional packs that hold alkaline batteries. It would be a good idea to have one of those (and fresh batteries, of course) in your go kit. And since those batteries could also fail, also take a gel cell battery. Don't forget to take along the appropriate adaptor so you can plug in your hand held unit. From N0UFB

Mark your equipment

Be sure that every piece of your equipment is marked with at least your name and call sign. After the emergency, you'll want any property you left behind to find its way back to you. From ARECC Level I course book

Your family comes first

Make sure to take care of your family's needs before responding to a deployment. You should develop a preparedness plan for them as well as for yourself. If your family is going to need you, don't leave. From ARECC Level I course book

Have a variety of power adaptors handy

You never know what kind of power source is going to be available at a disaster scene. Have a variety of power adaptors ready. Cigarette lighter plugs would be a good idea, as well as simple alligator clips to clamp onto a battery. From ARECC Level I course book

It's going to be noisy, so have a set of headphones

It's always a good idea to have a set of headphones around, but it may be an absolute necessity in an emergency. You may be placed in an area where other operators are working on different bands, you may be out in the open, or you may even be in the middle of a noisy shelter. A headset should be a vital part of your equipment. You can't communicate if you can't hear. From ARECC Level I course book

It doesn't always have to be amateur radio

Your primary job during a disaster will be communications. If the resources are available, it may be more efficient to use a telephone, a fax machine, or even email. It doesn't always have to be amateur radio. From ARECC Level I course book

Sometimes a digital mode is best

Some messages contain long lists of supplies, or details where accuracy is important. Voice transmission can introduce errors and tie up the net for a long time. For these types of messages you should consider using a digital mode. From ARECC Level I course book