Thursday, December 29, 2005
AWR Bangla New Director
Dear Dxer
Mr. Milton Das going to be the Director of Ashar Bani, Adventist World Radio Bangla Service Dhaka. From 2nd January 2006. He will start his journey.
We wish him all the best.
Ashik Eqbal Tokon
Rajshahi,Bangladesh
Mr. Milton Das going to be the Director of Ashar Bani, Adventist World Radio Bangla Service Dhaka. From 2nd January 2006. He will start his journey.
We wish him all the best.
Ashik Eqbal Tokon
Rajshahi,Bangladesh
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Happy New Year 2006
Wish All of You Happy New Year 2006
From :- Mr, Bedanta Das
From :- Mr, Bedanta Das
REVIEWING THE BASICS
REVIEWING THE BASICS
by T. J. "Skip" Arey N2EI
Originally Published
in
Monitoring Times Magazine
February 1998Many of you folks who follow the public service world are probably aware that there is currently a nationwide push to a new set of standards for Emergency Medical Technicians. Now Old Uncle Skip has run "The Streets" as an EMT-A since 1984. (If you want to hear war stories you'll have to track me down at the Kulpsville SWL Winterfest) Still, as law required, I had to sit through a transition class to the new EMT-B standard. When I reviewed the class schedule I initially got a chuckle out of the fact that we would have a lecture on radio communications. Here I am, an Amateur Extra Class licensee, a F.C.C. General Radiotelephone license holder, a former Army officer, AND a battle hardened "squaddy" who has survived the rigors of cross county dispatching and serving as ground contact at the LZ for dozens of emergency chopper rescues. Furthermore I had my bona-fide status as a world recognized "Radio Sage". I figured that this would be the session where I co But between the time I glanced at this curriculum and the time I had to sit in the classroom, our editor Rachel sent me the latest monthly column deadline list. Hmmm. I needed a column quick. The problem was further complicated by the fact that the EMT-B practical test sessions were going to take up most of the day I normally get to churn out this column. So instead of being a cocky know-it-all with my feet up on the seat in front of me, the instructor saw a student taking copious notes about the basics of radio communication. Interestingly enough it was interesting stuff. I had the chance to relearn a few things that I had forgotten. And of course I can pass this information on to you, Compadre. Good radio practice is just plain polite under normal circumstances. If you ever find yourself involved in emergency radio communications, it is essential. These practices don't just apply if you're bouncing around in an ambulance. They have meaning to anyone who picks up a microphone as a h 1) Always make sure your transceiver is working and tuned to the proper frequency.I know this sounds a bit silly but it happens to the allegedly best of us. I was recently involved in an Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) drill in my home county. Our communication was going to be performed through our local ARES repeater. Well, I heard a couple of hams having a chit-chat on the system so I asked them politely to clear off so we could get our operation underway. They sincerely complied. However, my rig was tuned to another repeater and of course the system they QSY'd to was the actual ARES repeater and with egg all over my face I had to once again beg their pardon and send them back from whence they came.2) Take steps to reduce background noise and interference.Just as everything, including interference, comes down your antenna wire, everything in the background goes out over your mike. How many times have you listened to your scanner and heard someone trying to talk over a running siren? Even in the ham radio world, ragchewing on the local repeater is hard enough without a lot of noise coming from the wind blasting in an open window. Also, communications is sometimes necessary in the presence of loud machinery. (Like those choppers I mentioned earlier).An old trick that they used to teach in the shipboard training manuals was to cup your hands around the mike to reduce outside noise. Another possibility is to put a vehicle, building, or even a few people between you and the noise source. Keep in mind that most modern microphones are designed to operate with your mouth between two and three inches away from the grill. Trying to out talk a noise source by getting up close to the mike like Janis Joplin used to do will only result in distortion and further unintelligibility.Remember that the whole point of communication is to be understood. While we're on the subject of microphones, always wait a second or two after pushing down the mike button before speaking. Along that route between your rig, the repeater system and the other person's radio are no doubt a few relays to click on and off. Waiting a brief second or so will assure that the first few words of your communication won't be cut off.3) Always establish a clear path of communication In all forms of radio communication, it is not uncommon to have a whole lot of people wanting or even needing to use the same frequency at the same time. Things can get confusing really fast unless you take the time to follow a few simple guidelines. First, listen to the frequency and make sure that it is not in use. In the amateur radio world we go a step further and then go on the air and ask if the frequency is occupied. In any form of two-way radio communication where more than a few folks are in operation, it is essential that you make it clear who you are and who you are talking to. The formal practice for this is probably as old as radio itself and is maintained across all radio services that I know of. First you state the name or callsign of the station you are calling followed by your name or callsign. In the amateur radio world it would be "WB2KKS this is N2EI". While clamping off an umbilical cord in the back of an ambulance it may be "County Dispatch, Squad 2697". In the Family Radio Service (FRS) it may simply be "Dad this is Number One Son". See the pattern? This not only makes the communication between you and the station you are calling clear, it also lets everybody else on the frequency know what is going on.In most formal communications situations you are in the position of calling a central dispatch or net control. Once you have called the control station you will then be told to proceed or to stand by. It's always important to follow the control stations directions explicitly. Further, in most such operations you would ask permission of the control station before contacting any other station on the frequency or network directly. Hams in an ARES or RACES net would say something like "Net Control this is N2EI request informal with WB2KKS". An EMS operation would sound more like "County Dispatch, Squad 2697 calling Unit 2691" A good net control will anticipate frequency use and direct stations requiring direct communication off the main frequency. So this might sound like "Squad 2697 call Unit 91 on Tac 2" indicating that the two stations should shift to the secondary tactical frequency. Once a net operation is formalized, its not uncommon for stations to sh 4) Manage your languageIn formal radio operations, clear communications become all the more important. So it is just good common sense that you try to speak slowly and clearly. You may not have background noise on your end but the person trying to copy you may have helicopter blades swinging over their heads. Also, in any emergency operation, keep transmission as brief as possible. If you have to go on for a bit, such as giving a medical status report while enroute to a trauma center with the end result of a bad motor vehicle accident. Pause every 30 seconds or so. This does two things. It lets the person's pen on the other end catch up to what you are saying. It also allows for other stations on frequency to break in with priority traffic.In spite of all the APCO codes you've memorized, USE PLAIN LANGUAGE. If you want to talk like a cop sign up for the police academy. Also, don't use "Joe Friday" phrases such as "Be advised" or any form of slang or non-standardized abbreviations. They have no meaning except to give the dispatcher a giggle about your unprofessional radio technique.Be very careful when trying to transmit numbers. Running down the highway in an Ambulance that missed its last wheel alignment can make the number sixteen sound like sixty. Always take the time to say the number in two forms. Example: "The patient's pulse is "sixty", "six zero". In high noise environments you may need to "count up". "The patient has five. . . one, two, three, four, five, broken ribs."The words "yes" and "no" can sound like a dozen other things in the heat of an emergency. Use "Affirmative" and "Negative" instead as they work better over the radio. By the way, nobody uses "Roger" anymore except when they are calling their friend by that name. The more modern expression is 'Understood" or "Acknowledged" depending on the context.By the way, when you have finished what you are saying on the air, please remember to say "Over". On a busy net you could have fifty people holding their breath waiting for you to formally end your transmission. Once you have said "Over" wait for acknowledgement from the other station so you are sure your message was received. At the completion of a transmission that requires no further communications between stations it is proper to conclude with the word "Out" signifying the end of your part of the operation. "Over and Out" is only heard in old war movies.Since I am both a radio monitoring hobbyist and a person involved in public service and emergency medical communications, I always remain acutely aware that folks just like me are often listening to what I'm saying over their scanning receivers. It reminds me that it is my duty to perform my radio communications as professionally as possible because the folks who pay the taxes and make the contributions are often keeping an ear on things.By the time you read this I'll be running the streets with my shiny new EMT-B patch sewn on my jacket. If you want to try your hand at some of these skills I've just talked about remember your local fire departments, emergency medical services and amateur radio groups are always looking for volunteers. You can also contribute generously to your local services. Think of it as paying the rent on those frequencies you monitor. If you see me in your rear view mirror running "hot", please pull to the side of the road.
by T. J. "Skip" Arey N2EI
Originally Published
in
Monitoring Times Magazine
February 1998Many of you folks who follow the public service world are probably aware that there is currently a nationwide push to a new set of standards for Emergency Medical Technicians. Now Old Uncle Skip has run "The Streets" as an EMT-A since 1984. (If you want to hear war stories you'll have to track me down at the Kulpsville SWL Winterfest) Still, as law required, I had to sit through a transition class to the new EMT-B standard. When I reviewed the class schedule I initially got a chuckle out of the fact that we would have a lecture on radio communications. Here I am, an Amateur Extra Class licensee, a F.C.C. General Radiotelephone license holder, a former Army officer, AND a battle hardened "squaddy" who has survived the rigors of cross county dispatching and serving as ground contact at the LZ for dozens of emergency chopper rescues. Furthermore I had my bona-fide status as a world recognized "Radio Sage". I figured that this would be the session where I co But between the time I glanced at this curriculum and the time I had to sit in the classroom, our editor Rachel sent me the latest monthly column deadline list. Hmmm. I needed a column quick. The problem was further complicated by the fact that the EMT-B practical test sessions were going to take up most of the day I normally get to churn out this column. So instead of being a cocky know-it-all with my feet up on the seat in front of me, the instructor saw a student taking copious notes about the basics of radio communication. Interestingly enough it was interesting stuff. I had the chance to relearn a few things that I had forgotten. And of course I can pass this information on to you, Compadre. Good radio practice is just plain polite under normal circumstances. If you ever find yourself involved in emergency radio communications, it is essential. These practices don't just apply if you're bouncing around in an ambulance. They have meaning to anyone who picks up a microphone as a h 1) Always make sure your transceiver is working and tuned to the proper frequency.I know this sounds a bit silly but it happens to the allegedly best of us. I was recently involved in an Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) drill in my home county. Our communication was going to be performed through our local ARES repeater. Well, I heard a couple of hams having a chit-chat on the system so I asked them politely to clear off so we could get our operation underway. They sincerely complied. However, my rig was tuned to another repeater and of course the system they QSY'd to was the actual ARES repeater and with egg all over my face I had to once again beg their pardon and send them back from whence they came.2) Take steps to reduce background noise and interference.Just as everything, including interference, comes down your antenna wire, everything in the background goes out over your mike. How many times have you listened to your scanner and heard someone trying to talk over a running siren? Even in the ham radio world, ragchewing on the local repeater is hard enough without a lot of noise coming from the wind blasting in an open window. Also, communications is sometimes necessary in the presence of loud machinery. (Like those choppers I mentioned earlier).An old trick that they used to teach in the shipboard training manuals was to cup your hands around the mike to reduce outside noise. Another possibility is to put a vehicle, building, or even a few people between you and the noise source. Keep in mind that most modern microphones are designed to operate with your mouth between two and three inches away from the grill. Trying to out talk a noise source by getting up close to the mike like Janis Joplin used to do will only result in distortion and further unintelligibility.Remember that the whole point of communication is to be understood. While we're on the subject of microphones, always wait a second or two after pushing down the mike button before speaking. Along that route between your rig, the repeater system and the other person's radio are no doubt a few relays to click on and off. Waiting a brief second or so will assure that the first few words of your communication won't be cut off.3) Always establish a clear path of communication In all forms of radio communication, it is not uncommon to have a whole lot of people wanting or even needing to use the same frequency at the same time. Things can get confusing really fast unless you take the time to follow a few simple guidelines. First, listen to the frequency and make sure that it is not in use. In the amateur radio world we go a step further and then go on the air and ask if the frequency is occupied. In any form of two-way radio communication where more than a few folks are in operation, it is essential that you make it clear who you are and who you are talking to. The formal practice for this is probably as old as radio itself and is maintained across all radio services that I know of. First you state the name or callsign of the station you are calling followed by your name or callsign. In the amateur radio world it would be "WB2KKS this is N2EI". While clamping off an umbilical cord in the back of an ambulance it may be "County Dispatch, Squad 2697". In the Family Radio Service (FRS) it may simply be "Dad this is Number One Son". See the pattern? This not only makes the communication between you and the station you are calling clear, it also lets everybody else on the frequency know what is going on.In most formal communications situations you are in the position of calling a central dispatch or net control. Once you have called the control station you will then be told to proceed or to stand by. It's always important to follow the control stations directions explicitly. Further, in most such operations you would ask permission of the control station before contacting any other station on the frequency or network directly. Hams in an ARES or RACES net would say something like "Net Control this is N2EI request informal with WB2KKS". An EMS operation would sound more like "County Dispatch, Squad 2697 calling Unit 2691" A good net control will anticipate frequency use and direct stations requiring direct communication off the main frequency. So this might sound like "Squad 2697 call Unit 91 on Tac 2" indicating that the two stations should shift to the secondary tactical frequency. Once a net operation is formalized, its not uncommon for stations to sh 4) Manage your languageIn formal radio operations, clear communications become all the more important. So it is just good common sense that you try to speak slowly and clearly. You may not have background noise on your end but the person trying to copy you may have helicopter blades swinging over their heads. Also, in any emergency operation, keep transmission as brief as possible. If you have to go on for a bit, such as giving a medical status report while enroute to a trauma center with the end result of a bad motor vehicle accident. Pause every 30 seconds or so. This does two things. It lets the person's pen on the other end catch up to what you are saying. It also allows for other stations on frequency to break in with priority traffic.In spite of all the APCO codes you've memorized, USE PLAIN LANGUAGE. If you want to talk like a cop sign up for the police academy. Also, don't use "Joe Friday" phrases such as "Be advised" or any form of slang or non-standardized abbreviations. They have no meaning except to give the dispatcher a giggle about your unprofessional radio technique.Be very careful when trying to transmit numbers. Running down the highway in an Ambulance that missed its last wheel alignment can make the number sixteen sound like sixty. Always take the time to say the number in two forms. Example: "The patient's pulse is "sixty", "six zero". In high noise environments you may need to "count up". "The patient has five. . . one, two, three, four, five, broken ribs."The words "yes" and "no" can sound like a dozen other things in the heat of an emergency. Use "Affirmative" and "Negative" instead as they work better over the radio. By the way, nobody uses "Roger" anymore except when they are calling their friend by that name. The more modern expression is 'Understood" or "Acknowledged" depending on the context.By the way, when you have finished what you are saying on the air, please remember to say "Over". On a busy net you could have fifty people holding their breath waiting for you to formally end your transmission. Once you have said "Over" wait for acknowledgement from the other station so you are sure your message was received. At the completion of a transmission that requires no further communications between stations it is proper to conclude with the word "Out" signifying the end of your part of the operation. "Over and Out" is only heard in old war movies.Since I am both a radio monitoring hobbyist and a person involved in public service and emergency medical communications, I always remain acutely aware that folks just like me are often listening to what I'm saying over their scanning receivers. It reminds me that it is my duty to perform my radio communications as professionally as possible because the folks who pay the taxes and make the contributions are often keeping an ear on things.By the time you read this I'll be running the streets with my shiny new EMT-B patch sewn on my jacket. If you want to try your hand at some of these skills I've just talked about remember your local fire departments, emergency medical services and amateur radio groups are always looking for volunteers. You can also contribute generously to your local services. Think of it as paying the rent on those frequencies you monitor. If you see me in your rear view mirror running "hot", please pull to the side of the road.
