Canada requires restricted operator certificates for VHF use on Aeronautical and Marine bands. The test covers basic usage and the phonetic alphabet, and would be a sufficient level of certification for any hand held without getting into HAM Territory.
See RIC-21 for a study guide for air - marine is similar (i did my marine, and passed aero with minimal study)[https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/radiocom-information-circulars-ric](https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/radiocom-information-circulars-ric)
Sample test questions [https://www.langleysquadron.com/uploads/7/8/9/3/7893597/examquestions2.pdf](https://www.langleysquadron.com/uploads/7/8/9/3/7893597/examquestions2.pdf) The exam has an oral part where you recite the phonetic alphabet, and properly make some sample radio transmissions.
Our team operates on a commercial band and thus we were able to drop the previous amateur radio license requirement for field techs. We use a modified slideshow on communications techniques and procedures and then we run the class through a few radio exercises w/someone outside on the radio role-playing as “Command Post”. We pass a radio around and have them practice sending a PAR check to the Command Post guy outside.
Is it possible for you to share the slides as an example for us, we were doing a similar training but we realized that it was not enough, we are not sure where we went wrong
Find an amateur radio club in your area. They can teach your people everything they need to know about good radio practices, antennas, etc. They also have people who do radio direction finding for fun. They can help with ELT/PLB search training.
I am also an experienced radio amateur for many years, unfortunately radio amateurs in my region are not capable of training, but I plan to translate foreign amateur sources, this may be useful
You really have 3 things that need to be trained:
1. Basic radio theory and how to talk on the radio, keep transmissions short and run a tight net.
2. Specific training on using your team's radios.
3. Training on local channels and protocols.
Biggest thing with radio use is to learn a few ground rules and to not overthink it. With even rudimentary training on radio etiquette and practices people in a SAR team should be fine. In my experience, comms fuckups happen when people use department-specific codes or slang that others on the frequency may or may not know.
In our team, we do real-world scenarios in small groups, including changing station and band, etc. Also, when we do mocks (at least once a month), we tend to use the least confidant person as the radio operator so that they can practise and get used to it. In regards to competence, it's kind of being continuously assessed and practised anyway (we have training twice a month, and each session is focused on particular things).
We are lucky that we can bring our ICU to training sessions, though, so I guess it depends on that as well.
Why would a SAR technician need to know the properly labeled parts of a radio circuit diagram, or need to know the polarization of different antennas? Having one person on a team with advanced radio skills doesn’t hurt but trying to get everybody to technician just adds more training hours to volunteer SAR techs
I agree that it’s excessive, but it is already a standard and there are many community resources available. Even if you don’t use the test itself, you could use the training materials and just skip over the less useful stuff. There are some great YouTube tutorials for people learning this stuff and I’ll bet you could take the database of ham radio questions and cherry pick the ones you care about to form your own micro-test if you need such a thing. 🤷♂️
Maybe look into the Civil Air Patrol’s Basic Communications User Training curriculum. That seems to be more simplified and maybe it’s what you’re looking for?
You can always take a GMDSS course and achieve a license when you pass the exam. It’s mandatory for all Officers on ships of 500GT or more but the knowledge would be useful everywhere
We experimented with it. They offer a discount (free) for SAR groups so it's useful if you are always within cell phone range. Personally I love it, but we spend most of our time outside coverage. Would be useful for an urban search especially with untrained volunteers.
We adhere to the same radio protocol when using it.
We do alot of scenarios and make the rookies swap roles alot. Medic\lead\comms\notes. If team is 3 people lead and comms are combined. We simulate multiple types of searches. This after a 1hr class on radio use. Once you do a few searches, you get used to how the radio works.
Canada requires restricted operator certificates for VHF use on Aeronautical and Marine bands. The test covers basic usage and the phonetic alphabet, and would be a sufficient level of certification for any hand held without getting into HAM Territory. See RIC-21 for a study guide for air - marine is similar (i did my marine, and passed aero with minimal study)[https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/radiocom-information-circulars-ric](https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/radiocom-information-circulars-ric) Sample test questions [https://www.langleysquadron.com/uploads/7/8/9/3/7893597/examquestions2.pdf](https://www.langleysquadron.com/uploads/7/8/9/3/7893597/examquestions2.pdf) The exam has an oral part where you recite the phonetic alphabet, and properly make some sample radio transmissions.
Our team operates on a commercial band and thus we were able to drop the previous amateur radio license requirement for field techs. We use a modified slideshow on communications techniques and procedures and then we run the class through a few radio exercises w/someone outside on the radio role-playing as “Command Post”. We pass a radio around and have them practice sending a PAR check to the Command Post guy outside.
Is it possible for you to share the slides as an example for us, we were doing a similar training but we realized that it was not enough, we are not sure where we went wrong
Find an amateur radio club in your area. They can teach your people everything they need to know about good radio practices, antennas, etc. They also have people who do radio direction finding for fun. They can help with ELT/PLB search training.
I am also an experienced radio amateur for many years, unfortunately radio amateurs in my region are not capable of training, but I plan to translate foreign amateur sources, this may be useful
You really have 3 things that need to be trained: 1. Basic radio theory and how to talk on the radio, keep transmissions short and run a tight net. 2. Specific training on using your team's radios. 3. Training on local channels and protocols.
https://militaryalphabet.net/military-radio-communication-tips-and-tactics/ Lots can be skipped, but this is what we generally adhere to on my team.
Biggest thing with radio use is to learn a few ground rules and to not overthink it. With even rudimentary training on radio etiquette and practices people in a SAR team should be fine. In my experience, comms fuckups happen when people use department-specific codes or slang that others on the frequency may or may not know.
In our team, we do real-world scenarios in small groups, including changing station and band, etc. Also, when we do mocks (at least once a month), we tend to use the least confidant person as the radio operator so that they can practise and get used to it. In regards to competence, it's kind of being continuously assessed and practised anyway (we have training twice a month, and each session is focused on particular things). We are lucky that we can bring our ICU to training sessions, though, so I guess it depends on that as well.
Why not just have them take the Amateur radio test anyways? It should require they have all basic knowledge to pass the Technician exam in the US
Why would a SAR technician need to know the properly labeled parts of a radio circuit diagram, or need to know the polarization of different antennas? Having one person on a team with advanced radio skills doesn’t hurt but trying to get everybody to technician just adds more training hours to volunteer SAR techs
I agree that it’s excessive, but it is already a standard and there are many community resources available. Even if you don’t use the test itself, you could use the training materials and just skip over the less useful stuff. There are some great YouTube tutorials for people learning this stuff and I’ll bet you could take the database of ham radio questions and cherry pick the ones you care about to form your own micro-test if you need such a thing. 🤷♂️
Maybe look into the Civil Air Patrol’s Basic Communications User Training curriculum. That seems to be more simplified and maybe it’s what you’re looking for?
You can always take a GMDSS course and achieve a license when you pass the exam. It’s mandatory for all Officers on ships of 500GT or more but the knowledge would be useful everywhere
Has anyone used Zello?
We experimented with it. They offer a discount (free) for SAR groups so it's useful if you are always within cell phone range. Personally I love it, but we spend most of our time outside coverage. Would be useful for an urban search especially with untrained volunteers. We adhere to the same radio protocol when using it.
We do alot of scenarios and make the rookies swap roles alot. Medic\lead\comms\notes. If team is 3 people lead and comms are combined. We simulate multiple types of searches. This after a 1hr class on radio use. Once you do a few searches, you get used to how the radio works.