19.12 Protocols: how to talk on the radio in an emergency

Listening times

Nobody can keep a radio on all day without running down the batteries. Agree on fixed windows:

• On the hour, for 5 minutes (for example, from :00 to :05), everyone turns on their radio on the main channel.
• If there is no contact, try the backup channel from :05 to :10.
• In an active crisis (tornado, evacuation), listen continuously until everyone has checked in.
• At night, only one person keeps watch with the radio at low volume.

Transmission rules

1. Listen before you talk. If someone is talking, wait.
2. Press the button, wait a second, then talk. If you talk instantly, the first word gets cut off.
3. Say who you're calling and who you are: “Base, this is One.”
4. Short message: who, where, how, what's next. Example: “One at Main Street, OK, heading to point 2, arriving 6 pm.”
5. End with “over” when you expect a reply and “out” when you are finished.
6. Confirm what's important by repeating it: “Copy, point 2 at 6 pm.”
7. Don't say on the radio that the house is empty, where you keep valuables, or personal details: anyone can listen.

Keywords

Agree on a few easy-to-remember words so you don't have to give details on the air:

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Write a “radio name” for each person (One, Two, Three, etc., and Base). It's shorter and doesn't give real names on the air.

Worksheet: Family radio channels and schedules

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• Everyone knows how to turn on their radio and set the main channel
• Range test done to the meeting points
• Monthly test done at the listening time
• A copy of this worksheet in each 72-hour bag