{"id":272,"date":"2013-09-24T03:58:44","date_gmt":"2013-09-24T03:58:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/w6sg.net\/site\/?page_id=272"},"modified":"2017-10-28T16:17:22","modified_gmt":"2017-10-28T23:17:22","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/w6sg.net\/site\/public-service\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Service – Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

FAQ – For Volunteers<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Last Updated: 10\/28\/2017<\/p>\n

We set our public service schedule of events to serve in any year, early in year (Jan. or Feb.) If you would like to request our club’s assistance for your event, please download and submit This Form<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Please check our schedule<\/strong><\/a> for conflicts. Our Board of Directors meets ONLY once-a-month, and will consider any newly received request. (Allow plenty of time, for consideration of your event.) <\/strong><\/p>\n

Q – What is a public service event?<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A – Ham radio operators provide volunteer communications support for various activities, including foot races, hikes,\u00a0bicycle rides, fairs, parades, and other public gatherings, to\u00a0supplement the communications available for an event, in the interest of the safety of the participants and staff\u00a0in the event, or in the interest of the safety of the general public;<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 and to practice our communications skills.<\/p>\n

Q – Can I hire MARS to provide communications?<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>A – With limited exceptions, FCC Part 97<\/a> Rules prohibit<\/strong> amateurs from being compensated for using amateur radio, or\u00a0for using amateur radio for anyone’s business use.\u00a0\u00a0MARS recruits our volunteer operators for events run by,\u00a0or benefiting,\u00a0local community-based non-profit organizations, and where our communications skills\u00a0and equipment\u00a0will be put to good use.\u00a0\u00a0Hams who volunteer to perform other functions<\/strong> for an event, such as driving a sag or patrol\u00a0vehicle, may be reimbursed for expenses related to the non-radio volunteer duties, if offered.<\/p>\n

Q – What about donations to clubs?<\/b><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 A – Most clubs can accept donations, as long as there is an understanding that the donation is made to the club in general, and not as a payment for providing services at an event.\u00a0 The Marin ARS has built relationships with many of the community organizations who run the events we serve.\u00a0\u00a0Many make a donation<\/span>, some do not.\u00a0 But we have chosen events that we\u00a0serve, based on the need for communications\u00a0to promote\u00a0the safety of the participants and staff, and to serve our community. ( Of course, it costs us to keep up the equipment, so donations to the club\u00a0are welcomed. Editor<\/em>.)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Q – Do all events qualify for MARS support?<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 A – The Marin Amateur Radio Society\u00a0chooses to provide support\u00a0for events run by,\u00a0or benefiting,\u00a0local community-based non-profit organizations, and where our communications skills\u00a0and equipment\u00a0will be put to good use.\u00a0 The guidelines\u00a0we use\u00a0in choosing\u00a0an event to support, are based on existing commitments, the dates and times requested, our ability to recruit sufficient volunteers to serve the event,\u00a0a review of the\u00a0sponsoring organization,\u00a0our assessment of\u00a0the need for communications\u00a0to promote\u00a0the safety of the participants, the public,\u00a0and the event staff,\u00a0and with regard for FCC Part 97<\/a> Rules. \u00a0(Generally, hams should avoid using Amateur Radio in support of events, where the organizer has a monetary interest. This includes “Good Causes”. See the FCC Part 97<\/a> Rules.\u00a0Editor.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Some deserving events\u00a0are not\u00a0served<\/strong>, either due to conflicting dates with other established commitments or other amateur radio events, \u00a0a lack of available volunteer operators, because our small club does not have enough time to recruit enough\u00a0volunteers,<\/span> because our schedule is already full, because\u00a0an event or the sponsoring organization does not\u00a0fall within our established guidelines or FCC Rules for radio support; or because the event\u00a0falls outside our repeaters’ reliable coverage area.\u00a0 We reserve the right to\u00a0decline any request for communications support for any reason.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Q – How does MARS chose events to serve or list?<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 A – The Marin ARS has built relationships with many of the community organizations who run the events that we serve. We have chosen events that\u00a0our club\u00a0serves, based\u00a0on the need for communications\u00a0to promote\u00a0the safety of the participants, staff, and\u00a0the general public;\u00a0and with regard for FCC Part 97<\/a> Rules; and where our communications skills and equipment\u00a0will be\u00a0put to good use.\u00a0 We generally provide support\u00a0for about 10 events each year,\u00a0recruiting communications volunteers for those events.\u00a0 We normally put together our list early in the year, and begin recruiting volunteers to staff the events. Sometimes, we need to contact adjoining clubs for resources to serve an event.<\/p>\n

When a new request or new\u00a0recommendation comes in, the Public Service Committee\u00a0gathers information, assesses the existing commitments, and makes a recommendation to\u00a0the Board of Directors.\u00a0The previous\u00a0year’s supported events are also evaluated, by our Public Service Committee,\u00a0to\u00a0determine if\u00a0any event has changed in a way where it is no longer a good fit with our\u00a0volunteer services or\u00a0our guidelines.\u00a0Our Board of Directors <\/strong>(which meets once-a-month)\u00a0makes the final decision to offer support for an event, based on the recommendation of our Public Service Committee. \u00a0The earlier we receive a request, the more time we have to consider the request, gather information, and recruit volunteers, and\u00a0the more time we have to get a decision from our Board.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, hams should avoid using Amateur Radio in support of events, where the organizer has a monetary interest. This does include “Good Causes”, and service to government. See the FCC Part 97<\/span><\/a> Rules. Under FCC Part 97 Rules, to serve an event where someone has a pecuniary (monetary) interest, amateurs must find that the overriding concern is the safety of the participants, staff, and the public; and that the communications could not be provided, routinely, by another radio provider<\/span>.\u00a0 Editor.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

We reserve the right to decline any communications request for any reason; including, but not limited to; that a request does not conform with our noncommercial status,\u00a0that conflicts with any provision in\u00a0FCC Part 97 Rules, that a request occurs on a date that has already been reserved for another activity, where our schedule is already full, where a request is received without sufficient time in to recruit volunteers to staff an event, where we determine that\u00a0our communications skills\u00a0will not be\u00a0put to good use, or where the event fails to meet the minimum requirements established by our insurance carrier or our Board of Directors. We may also limit the total number of events that we agree to staff in any given month, or annually. We reserve the right to give preference to local events and local community-based non-profit organizations that we have prior positive experience with, and where, in our opinion, our volunteer communication services provide the greatest public good. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Some deserving events cannot be served<\/strong>, either due to conflicting dates with other established commitments, a lack of available volunteer operators<\/span>, because\u00a0an event or organization does not\u00a0fall within our established guidelines; or because the event\u00a0falls outside our repeaters’ reliable coverage area.\u00a0\u00a0 Some worthy events that occur in Marin County, and events supported\u00a0by\u00a0adjoining ham radio\u00a0clubs may be listed on our site as Non-Marin ARS<\/strong> Sponsored Event volunteer opportunities. \u00a0MARS members are encouraged to\u00a0check out these events, and their sponsoring organizations, and if available, to volunteer.\u00a0\u00a0(Other clubs may have different guidelines and \/ or have different resources available. editor.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Q – May\u00a0another\u00a0amateur organization use the MARS (K6GWE)\u00a0repeater systems for communications\u00a0support of a Non-MARS event?\u00a0<\/span> <\/strong> A – The ham organizer for the other event\u00a0must obtain\u00a0permission from\u00a0our Trustee of License<\/strong>, a minimum of 60 days prior to the event, and MARS must not have scheduled a conflicting use for the repeater. The Board may authorize the event’s inclusion on our Public Service calendar as a Non-MARS sponsored event. Contact Trustee<\/a><\/p>\n

Q – How about RACES Drills? <\/span> <\/strong> A – The RACES Officer in charge should contact our Trustee of License<\/strong>, a minimum of 30 days before the drill, and MARS must not have scheduled a conflicting use for the repeater. The Board may authorize the event’s inclusion on our calendar as a RACES Drill. \u00a0 \u00a0 Contact Trustee<\/a> \u00a0 NOTE: RACES does have an agreement to use the repeater system during declared emergencies. During declared emergencies RACES needs to inform about repeater use the Trustee of License, as soon as possible.<\/em><\/p>\n

FAQ – For Volunteers<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Q – I’ve never done this before, do I need any special training?<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A – We hold\u00a0 an orientation session<\/a> at the beginning of the public service season, for new people, and returning volunteers.\u00a0 Normally, new people are partnered with an experienced ham.\u00a0We plan to hold an on-the-air briefing before events. Review the communications protocols below. Familiarity with controlled net operations and the Incident Command System are plusses. We encourage volunteers to serve at Net Control to learn.<\/p>\n

Q – What equipment do I need?<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 A – That depends on the event, and your assignment.\u00a0 It can be as simple as a handheld and a spare battery.\u00a0 Some locations require a high power mobile and a gain antenna.\u00a0We have created location pages for most of the commonly staffed areas on an event, with recommended equipment to staff the station. You should let the organizer of the event know what your communications capabilities are.<\/p>\n

Q – May\u00a0I accept payment?\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 A – With limited exceptions, FCC Part 97<\/a> Rules prohibit<\/strong> amateurs from being compensated for using amateur radio, or\u00a0for using amateur radio for anyone’s business use.\u00a0 If an event organizer offers payment, it should be politely refused.\u00a0 However, if an event organizer provides\u00a0food for all volunteers, you may accept;\u00a0or provides\u00a0a uniform for\u00a0volunteer staff (t-shirt or hat), you\u00a0may wear that to identify you as part of the event staff (they usually don’t want them back after the event). Hams who volunteer to perform other functions<\/span><\/strong> for an event, such as driving a sag or patrol\u00a0vehicle<\/span>, may be reimbursed for expenses related to the non-radio volunteer duties, if offered.<\/p>\n

Q – What about donations to clubs?<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 A – Most clubs can accept donations, as long as there is an understanding that the donation is made to the club in general, and not as a payment for providing services at an event.\u00a0 The Marin ARS has built relationships with many of the community organizations who run the events we serve.\u00a0 Some make a donation, some do not.\u00a0 But we have chosen events that we\u00a0serve, based on the need for communications\u00a0to promote\u00a0the safety of the participants and staff, and to serve our community. ( Of course, it costs us to keep up the equipment, so donations to the club\u00a0are welcomed. editor<\/em>.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Q – What should I expect?\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 A – Events differ in character as much as people do.\u00a0 However, you are acting as a volunteer communicator. And your assignment from us will be to communicate.\u00a0 Most event communications are\u00a0operated as directed nets. Review the communications protocols below. Please arrive at your assigned location, and be set up,\u00a0by your assigned time. Check in with Net Control. Check out with Net Control at the end of your assignment.\u00a0See more specifics below:<\/p>\n

Fixed Locations:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 (Aid Stations or Check Points) \u00a0Please arrive at your assigned location by your assigned time, and set up your equipment.\u00a0 Check in with the person in charge of your location and identify yourself as the radio person.\u00a0Check in with Net Control on your assigned frequency.\u00a0 Pass messages to Net Control as needed. Monitor for traffic from Net Control.\u00a0 Typical\u00a0messages might\u00a0include arrival of the first\u00a0event participants, supply requests, participants who drop out, transportation requests,\u00a0arrival of the last participants, etc.\u00a0At the end of your shift, or when your assigned location closes, check out with Net Control.\u00a0 In events with sweeps, the radio volunteer normally waits for the final\u00a0sweep to be sure that no participant is left unattended. (Sometimes volunteers assigned by the organizer, happen to also be hams. If so, please let us know, so we can include you in the roster and inform you of the frequencies used to support the event.)<\/p>\n

Course Monitor<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0 Sometimes we are assigned to locations, where\u00a0we monitor the progress of participants, without any additional event volunteer support.\u00a0\u00a0Please arrive at your assigned location by your assigned time, and set up your equipment.\u00a0Check in with Net Control on your assigned frequency.\u00a0 Pass messages to Net Control as needed. Monitor for traffic from Net Control.\u00a0Typical\u00a0messages might\u00a0include arrival of the first\u00a0event participants, supply requests, participants who drop out, transportation requests,\u00a0arrival of the last participants, etc. At the end of your shift, or when your assigned location closes, check out with Net Control.\u00a0 In events with sweeps, the radio volunteer normally waits for the sweep to be sure that no participant is left unattended. (Sometimes Course Monitor volunteers assigned by the organizer, happen to also be hams. If so, please let us know, so we can include you in the roster and inform you of the frequencies used to support the event.)<\/p>\n

Event Radio Trail Sweep Communicator :<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 Some trail events and some bike events\u00a0have\u00a0one or more\u00a0willing hams hike or ride with the event sweep. These special\u00a0volunteers provide communications for the sweep safety team,\u00a0the event sweeps\u00a0make sure that the last participants in an event are safe and accounted for. Please arrive at your assigned location by your assigned time. Check in with Net Control periodically, and as necessary. Check in\u00a0with the ham radio volunteer at\u00a0all fixed location and course monitor locations.\u00a0Carry an extra battery. Check out with Net Control at the end of your assignment.<\/p>\n

Event Radio Trail Hiker\/Bike:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 Some trail events and some bike events\u00a0have\u00a0one or more\u00a0willing hams hike or ride to\u00a0independently patrol the course. These special\u00a0volunteers independently patrol the course to assure participants in an event are safe\u00a0or accounted for. They report any issues that they encounter. \u00a0Please arrive at your assigned location by your assigned time. Check in with Net Control periodically, and as necessary. Check in\u00a0with the ham radio volunteer at\u00a0all fixed location and course monitor locations.\u00a0Carry an extra battery. Check out with Net Control at the end of your assignment.<\/p>\n

Radio Sag Communicator:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span> These volunteers ride with a sag vehicle to provide on-the-course communications for bicycle events. Please arrive at your assigned location by your assigned time,\u00a0set up your radio equipment in your assigned vehicle,\u00a0and check in with Net Control.\u00a0 Check in\u00a0with the ham radio volunteer at\u00a0all fixed location and course monitor locations. Some sags or patrols carry APRS tracking units. Check out with Net Control at the end of your assignment.<\/p>\n

Radio Equipped SAG or Patrol:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong> These hams also volunteer to drive as support vehicles for bicycle rides, provide assistance to participants, provide on-the-course communications for bicycle events, and monitor the progress and safety\u00a0of riders.\u00a0 Some sag vehicles act as event course sweeps,\u00a0escorting in the final riders. Some sags or patrols carry APRS tracking units.\u00a0\u00a0Please arrive at your assigned location by your assigned time, and check in with Net Control. Check in\u00a0with the ham radio volunteer at\u00a0all fixed location and course monitor locations. Check out with Net Control at the end of your assignment.\u00a0\u00a0 SAGs<\/strong> (support & gear) have the capability to transport riders and bicycles. Patrols<\/strong> ( including motorcycles) lack the capacity to carry bicycles and\/or passengers.\u00a0 Hams who volunteer to perform\u00a0sag or patrol\u00a0functions for an event,\u00a0may be reimbursed for expenses (gas)\u00a0related to their non-radio volunteer duties, if offered.<\/p>\n

Net Control:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Net Control volunteers coordinate\u00a0the\u00a0radio traffic, interface with the event organizers, and generally provide information and direction to\u00a0radio volunteers in the field.\u00a0 Net Control stations may have more than one frequency in operation at the same time.\u00a0 On some events, where APRS units are in use, one Net Control operator may be assigned to monitor APRS equipped units.<\/p>\n

General:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Dress for the expected weather.\u00a0 Bring snacks and water \/ beverages.\u00a0 Remember sunscreen, a hat,\u00a0paper and pencil, your radio,\u00a0a spare battery, etc.<\/p>\n

Communications Protocols:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

EMERGENCY TRAFFIC ALWAYS HAS PRIORITY!\u00a0<\/strong> All stations not involved with the emergency\u00a0need to stand by, until the emergency traffic has been handled.\u00a0 ( Unless there is another emergency.)\u00a0 When breaking in with an emergency, say “Emergency”.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most event communications are done in a controlled net format.\u00a0 Stations direct their communications to Net Control, and get\u00a0traffic from Net Control.\u00a0Please refer to the event\u00a0radio frequency plan for your assigned frequency for your location or assignment. Please check in with Net Control at the beginning of your assignment, and check out of the net at the end of your assignment.\u00a0 If you need to be away from your radio to attend to something, please notify Net Control when you leave, and when you return. (Please remember that Net Control may need to monitor several frequency channels and\/or interface with the organizers or participants. Net Control may need to prioritize traffic. [See examples below.] Please be patient.)<\/p>\n

We use tactical identifiers when passing traffic.\u00a0(” Net Control this is Muir Beach.”)\u00a0Please listen for, and respond to,\u00a0traffic directed to your tactical identifier.\u00a0 Please use your tactical identifier when directing traffic to Net Control, or other stations on the event net.\u00a0 We use our tactical identifier, plus our\u00a0FCC callsigns at the end of an exchange to indicate that we have no further traffic to pass\u00a0(or our callsigns\u00a0every 10 minutes for a long conversation).\u00a0(“Muir Beach, KA6BQF)\u00a0Follow FCC Part 97<\/a> Rules.<\/p>\n

Listen before transmitting.\u00a0 Think, then push to talk, then talk.\u00a0 Compose your message (in your head, or on paper),\u00a0before keying the microphone.\u00a0 Pause a second or two after keying the microphone to allow the repeater system components to activate.\u00a0 Wait for the squelch tail(s) to drop before beginning a reply\u00a0transmission.\u00a0 (Sometimes when we have remote bases or cross band links in use, there are several squelch tails that need to drop.)<\/p>\n

Typical\u00a0messages that you would send\u00a0might\u00a0include arrival of the first\u00a0event participants, supply requests, participants who drop out, transportation requests,\u00a0arrival of the last participants, etc.<\/p>\n

Follow FCC Part 97<\/a> rules, and direction from Net Control.<\/p>\n

Traffic priority (examples):<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

EMERGENCY<\/strong> – Accident with injuries, injury to participant, injury to volunteer, immediate threat (drunk or threating driver)<\/p>\n

PRIORITY<\/strong> – Accident without injuries, lost participant, mechanical breakdown on course, safety hazard, potential threat, ill participant<\/p>\n

HIGH<\/strong> – Running out of water, supplies did not arrive before check point opened, minor injury (can be handled by first aid), participant requesting transportation from course,\u00a0 first participants arrival<\/p>\n

MEDIUM<\/strong> – Food supplies running low, participant requesting transportation from check point, course marking mistake (that cannot be field corrected), request for more volunteers, weather changes that affect participants, arrival of SAG vehicles, last participant location<\/p>\n

LOW<\/strong> – Requests late in the event that are\u00a0logistically impractical,\u00a0participant progress requests<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Updated: 10\/09\/2017\u00a0 by KA6BQF<\/p>\n

More questions?\u00a0 Contact\u00a0\u00a0 ka6bqf@arrl.net<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FAQ – For Volunteers\u00a0 Last Updated: 10\/28\/2017 We set our public service schedule of events to serve in any year, early in year (Jan. or Feb.) If you would like to request our club’s assistance for your event, please download…<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more ›<\/a><\/div>\n

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