Recent significant electrical grid and telecommunications outages in Ohio have
included derechos in 2012 and 2022, and a crippling ice storm in
February 2021. Numerous less severe weather events and utility failures have occurred
as well. Amateur Radio is in a unique position to address communication needs related
to such events by providing flexible, self-contained backup communications, independent
of the power grid, internet, and/or cellular services.
For a number of years, to help address these needs, Athens County Ohio
Amateur Radio operators have maintained monthly training and equipment testing
in the form of a VHF FM radio network operating on 146.400 mHz (simplex without PL).
The purpose of this document is to provide 'suggested' operational guidance
(SOG) for use of this important network resource, with considerable flexibility to
adjust to evolving conditions, and changing needs of participating stations, families,
neighbors, and served agencies.
It strives to be a concise, self-contained "quick reference."
"Simplex Network" Objectives:
- to provide structured backup communications without the need for
commercial electricity, internet, or cellular service.
- to provide a flexible network architecture which can be implemented
with or without a "Net Control Station" (NCS).
- to provide service to lower profile stations (example: handheld radios)
via higher profile relay stations. Such lower power stations may have suffered
primary antenna damage, or have only limited electricity available.
- to provide messaging service into and out of Athens County via available
high frequency (HF) networks, not requiring internet availability.
Pre-Activation Preparation Suggestions:
- Program 146.400 mHz simplex (no PL) into all radios capable of legally
operating on this frequency.
- Program Athens NOAA Weather Radio (162.425 mHz) into all radios capable
of receiving this frequency.
- Download and Print (so hard copy is available during a power outage):
- Export and Print close friend/family email addresses, USPS addresses, and
phone numbers for grid-down emergency messaging via the HF NTS.
Simplex Network Levels of Activation:
(A) Day-to-day Routine Stand Down Operation:
- When in shack, or vehicle, scan 146.400 mHz, 146.52 mHz in
addition to local Athens County repeaters.
(B) Heightened Awareness "Watch Desk" Operations:
- During actual or expected conditions potentially affecting
electric grid, telecommunications utilities, or repeater(s) operation,
monitor 146.400 mHz daily at 06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, 22:00 ET
for at least ten minutes either side of the top of the hour.
- Identify your station. (ie: don't just 'listen')
- Indicate if you can handle National Traffic System (NTS) traffic
or internet/cellular email.
(C) Full, formal Net Activation:
- This would typically (but not always) be at the direction of the
Athens Co. ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC), or District Emergency
Coordinator (DEC); or at the request of a 'Served Agency' (eg: Red Cross,
Emergency Management, National Weather Service, etc.).
- Designate one or more Acting Network Control Stations (NCS) per
network procedures and protocols for Directed Net activities.
- Use only the minimum power output needed to accomplish any given
communications task.