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ARES/RACES Mills County Iowa SOP

Standard Operating Procedures for the Mills County ARES/RACES Nets

You are operating on a DIRECTED NET. Keep in mind we must act professionally at all times. Do not transmit conversations unrelated to the immediate storm watch area.

Above all, do not panic. Make your transmissions in a calm manner.

Frequencies used are in this order 145.290-, 444.325+, 442.025+, 147.435 simplex. Get these programmed into your radios. Learn how to program frequencies into your radio just in case all is down and we need to change frequencies. In an emergency you need to know how to do this.

When severe weather calls for a "Storm Spotter Net", Net Control will initiate the Code Red alert.

Go to the first freq. above and listen, if the repeater is down go to the next freq. in order left to right.

Handheld radios are NOT permitted for storm spotters. Too much time is wasted trying to communicate with Net Control. If Net Control is having trouble hearing you and you are using a mobile radio at 50watts power, try changing locations.

You MUST have an outside antenna and use HIGH power setting up to 50 watts.

To enter the Net, call "Net Control", then your "Call Sign" only and wait for instructions. Do not rush your call sign, Net Control will be entering your call sign in the MCSS software and will probably be very busy.

As the event dictates, Net Control will acknowledge you and give you instructions. Keep all transmissions brief so the frequency can be kept clear for all emergencies.

If needed and you are available to go to the field, Net Control will assign you a spot. For your safety please do not roam around, Net Control will be monitoring weather radar and will look out for anything coming your way.

Stay on your assigned spot unless the weather dictates that you move. If you need to move, contact Net Control by giving your assigned spotter location not your Call sign, announce that you are "BUGGING OUT", i.e. "A1 Bugging Out" 3 times. If possible, wait for Net Control to acknowledge.

Let Net Control know where you are going and report in when you arrive at your new location. Remember that Net Control must know where you are so they can watch for events in your new area.

Reporting must adhere to the NWS reporting criteria which are listed in this book. If nothing is happening just listen and concentrate on observing the weather.

When you give a report, end with your Call Sign as this will meet your requirement for identifying with the FCC and let Net Control you are finished with your report, i.e. Net control, ( your spotter location) reporting 1" hail at my location, End with your call sign, i.e. KDO###

 

Net Control will periodically contact all assigned spotter stations. If nothing is happening, acknowledge Net Control with your Spotter location and Call sign unless Net Control asks for more information.

Most of the traffic will be by Net Control. Help to keep the frequency clear by listening unless reporting an event at your location.

Remember only report things that are reportable as listed in this book. Keep chatter to a minimum.

When Net Control announces " Wait", that means wait. Net Control will not forget you so do not panic.

Observation reports will include only the following:

 

  1. Funnel on the ground with debris
  2. Funnel cloud in the air
  3. Wall cloud with rotation, (be sure you can identify a wall cloud).
  4. Hail including the size, 1" or larger (quarter size)
  5. Very High Wind (car rocking, tree limbs falling) {58mph)
  6. Heavy Rain (visibility less than ¼ mile)
  7. Storm damage observed

 

Keep the QRM level down. In a disaster, many of the most crucial stations will be weak in signal strength. It is most essential that all other stations remain silent unless they are called upon. If you're not sure you should transmit, don't. Our amateur bands may be very congested during an emergency. If you want to help, study the situation by listening. Don't transmit unless you are sure you can help by doing so. Don't ever break into a disaster net just to inform the control station you are there if needed.

 

Mills County ARES/RACES  Nets

You are operating on a DIRECTED NET. Keep in mind we must act professionally at all times. Do not transmit conversations unrelated to the immediate storm watch area.

Above all, do not panic. Make your transmissions in a calm manner.

 

Frequencies used in this order 145.290-. 444.325+, 442.025+, 147.435 simplex.