Radio Commnications
My radio activities tend to focus on local emergency communications
for my neighborhood and the area around the city of Berkeley. I
specialize in tactical field communications. As much as I love and
use cell phone networks, bluetooth devices and the Internet, I think
their ability to continue operation during adverse conditions is still
pretty limited.
Emergency Communications
The 1989
Loma Prieta earthquake
in California and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 both proved how fragile
our infrastructure for power, sanitation and transportation can be.
These events were also a reminder of how limited our governments
ability to respond to unprecedented disaster is. During those
disasters and others, self trained amateur radio operators frequently
stepped in with their own equipment. They made communications work,
when other means had failed. It was a remarkable display of volunteer
public service.
Family Radio Communications
Citizens Band (CB)
CB is a short-distance, simplex radio communications service between
individuals on a selection of 40 channels within the 27 MHz (11 meter)
band. CB does not require a license and may be used for business as
well as personal communications. If you're interested in public
service communications, see
REACT,
an organization that got their start with CB radio.
Family Radio Service (FRS)
FRS is an improved walkie talkie system authorized in the United
States since 1996. This personal radio service uses channelized
frequencies in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. FRS radios are
limited to 500 milliwatts in the U.S. No license is required. For
more information on how to use FRS radios during emergencies, see the
National SOS Radio Network,
a nationally coordinated neighborhood emergency radio communications
service.
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
I'm a licensed GMRS operator, call sign WQHN822. GMRS is a
land-mobile UHF radio service in the United States available for
short-distance two-way communications. GMRS is extensively used by
the City of Berkeley for emergency neighborhood communications. I
volunteer as the communicator for my neighborhood in Berkeley.
Amateur Radio
My amateur radio call sign is WH6OI. I'm a member of the
Amateur Radio Relay League
and
NALCO.
I tend to monitor 146.520 or 223.500 Mhz, FM simplex calling
frequencies. I do this because I like to think of myself as being
what I call a
radio nomad.
I also monitor the The RACES/ARES affiliated repeaters in Alameda
county and San Francisco county. I'm the kind of amateur radio
operator that takes pride in having small, field ready equipment.
While some amateur operators have dedicated radio shacks with fixed
antennas, I tend to operate in the field with equipment that I can
carry. My shack fits in a bag.
Some of the advantages of amateur radio over GMRS or Citizens Band
radio is the ability to operate on more frequencies with higher power
when needed. You can also use experimental modulation techniques that
you couldn't use in other radio services. Amateur radio also has a
long association with civil aid organizations, in and out of
government. This includes FEMA, state, county and city governments.
This also includes the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. If you want
to participate in emergency communications, amateur radio is a good
place to do it. If you are interested in emergency radio
communications, more information can be found at
emergency-radio.org.
1.25 Meter Operation
If you're in the San Francisco area and like operating on 1.25 meters,
join us on the
San Francisco 1.25 Meter Net.
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