Dark FaultCommunication plan
A radio is only useful if people know when and where to listen. Write a plan, give everyone a copy, and practise it.
PACE plan
Plan four ways to reach each other, in order:
| Level | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Normal way | Mobile phone call or text |
| Alternate | If primary fails | GMRS channel 17 |
| Contingency | If both fail | Ham 146.520 MHz, or a local repeater |
| Emergency | Last resort | Meet at a set place and time; note left on the door |
Also pick an out-of-area contact: a relative far away. Long-distance calls and texts often get through when local ones do not.
Listening schedule
Radios drain batteries when always on. Agree on fixed times instead, such as 5 minutes at the top of every hour from 6 am to 10 pm, and on which channel to try first.
How to call
- Listen first so you do not talk over someone.
- Say who you are calling, then who you are: "Base, this is Sam."
- Keep it short. Let go of the button and wait for an answer.
- Use "over" when you expect a reply, "out" when you are done.
- In distress: say "Mayday" three times (life at risk) or "Pan-pan" three times (urgent but not life-threatening), then who you are, where you are, what is wrong, and how many people.
Signal reports
"Loud and clear" means good. "Readable but weak" means move higher or try another channel. Hams use the RST scale (readability 1 to 5, strength 1 to 9).
Phonetic alphabet
Spell names and places so they are understood through noise.
| Letter | Word | Letter | Word | Letter | Word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Alfa | J | Juliett | S | Sierra |
| B | Bravo | K | Kilo | T | Tango |
| C | Charlie | L | Lima | U | Uniform |
| D | Delta | M | Mike | V | Victor |
| E | Echo | N | November | W | Whiskey |
| F | Foxtrot | O | Oscar | X | X-ray |
| G | Golf | P | Papa | Y | Yankee |
| H | Hotel | Q | Quebec | Z | Zulu |
| I | India | R | Romeo |
Numbers: say "niner" for 9 and "fife" for 5 on poor channels.
What range to expect
Handheld to handheld, expect 1 to 2 miles in towns or forests and up to 5 or more from hilltop to hilltop. A repeater or a mobile radio with a roof antenna adds a lot. Test your plan with real distances before you rely on it.
Sources
- Ready.gov: Make a plan (FEMA, US government, public domain)
- FCC: Amateur radio service (US government, public domain)
- US Coast Guard Navigation Center: US VHF channel information (US government, public domain)