EM-COMM-PJ

🦺 Emcomm Notes by Phil VK6DEV

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Table of Contents

Introduction

This document is my work to investigate and document an emcomms methodology. This EmComm plan is designed for my own use and as such will largely focus on Western Australia 🇦🇺, but the concepts will be transferable to most locations.

This is a living document, it will change and grow over time so make sure you come back regularly.

Collaboration is encouraged. These documents hosted on GitHub and editable by all.

Please feel free to contact me vk6dev@gmail.com

What is EmComm?

EmComm is short for Emergency Communications. It is a procedure/method of maintaining reliable and effective communications during an emergency. An EmComm system should help in the collection, collation and distribution of information during an emergency situation where mainstream communications maybe disrupted.

EmComm should not be about any one particular technology or mode of communication, but should be about the communication itself.

Why do we need EmComm?

In the event of a disruption to normal life, communication is a vital resource for all. This is where EmComm and Amateur Radio Operators can step up to assist the community.

Who may need our assistance

There are many who may need our assistance. They are probably not those that you might think of first. In Western Australia, the emergency services are served by an extensive communication network which is multi-redundant and resilient. See the section of Emergecy Services Radio resources.

How will we interact with the wider community? How will we assist those organisations that need communications during an emergency.

Security Considerations

The security of our communications could be important to us. As the communications methods described in this plan will be predominantly based on Amateur Radio, it is important to remember that no encryption is allowed in on the Amateur Radio Bands.

There are ways you can obfuscate your communications to make them less obvious.

Information is King

During an emergency event, access to information is of utmost importance. Without timely and accurate information you can not make decisions which may affect you, your family and friends.

To gather information you can:

A central location for verified information is important. From this central location others should be able retieve the information.

Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network WICEN

Further WICEN Information available here.

VK6DEV Comm Plan

Having a plan is important.

My Comms Plan

Training

Like everything we do in life, practice makes perfect Having a methodology for emergency communications is no good is you don’t know it works. If nobody knows how to use it, how will they know how to do it when it’s really needed.

Tools

Resources

A list of resources usefull when developing an EmComm strategy.

Software Projects

Reference Resources

Below is some reference material collected from various sources.

TODO: Document BOM weather radio and weather fax freuqncies and procedures.

TODO: Find some information regarding WAPOL radio networks for reference.

TODO: SES radio resources??

Emergency Services Radio

The Emergency Services in Western Australia operate several command and control radio networks. The WA Police operate a secure encrypted voice and data network.

I have little information about St John Ambulance.
DEFS runs the WAERN mostly on FM.
DPAW uses VHF FM.

The following frequency lists were found on the internet. The information was dated 2016 which make it significantly old. I have included the original source PDF but have also included a document which indicates if I have confirmed the frequency.

WAERN Frequency List (Markdown)
WAERN Frequency List (PDF)
WAERN Channel (Chirp Import CSV)

St John’s Smbulance Radio Freq (WA)

Martime Radio

Check out the Maritime Radio page here.

Citizens Band (CB) Radio

Citizens Band Radio in Australia operates under the Citizend Band radios stations class license. The regulations regarding CB radio can be found in the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and the Citizens Band Radio Stations Class License 2015 and their various ammendments.

These documents are available from The ACMA Wesbite

CB Radio Page

AusTavel Safety Net

TODO: Add austravel details and frequencies

Useful Amateur Radio Frequencies

Frequency Description
146.500 2m Calling Frequency
145.175 Primary APRS Frequency

Band Plans

Frequencies Description
26.965 - 27.405 CB Radio HF
144.000 - 148.000 Amateur Radio 2m Band
156.000 - 162.050 Marine Radio VHF Band
430.000 - 450.000 Amateur Radio 70cm Band
476.425 - 477.4125 CB Radio UHF

Emergency Management Agencies (Australia)

Amatuer Radio Emergency Beacon Project

Lets design an information, gathering, storing and deceminating system.

Check out the design and specifications

Useful Information during EmComm Event

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