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Radio Operators Certificate Learner Guide

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Radio Operators

Certificate

Learner Guide

Learner Guide

2

Acknowledgements

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) would like to acknowledge the following people who contributed their time and expertise to support the development of this resource: Scott Andrews and Sebastien de Paula, SLSQ State Communications Advisors, Andrew Bedford, SLSSA State Communications Advisor Chris Stevens, SLSA National Communications Advisor Lifesaving Communications Working Group, SLSA Lifesaving Education Committee, SLSA Amy Teale, National Training and Education Manager, SLSA Olivia Harvey, National Training and Education Resource Development Coordinator, SLSA © Surf Life Saving Australia Ltd. This work is copyright, but permission is given to SLSA trainers and assessors to make copies for use within their own training environment. This permission does not extend to making copies for use outside the immediate training environment for which they are made, or the making of copies for hire or resale to third parties. For permission outside these guidelines, apply in writing to: Surf Life Saving Australia Locked Bag 1010, Roseberry NSW 2018 Ph: (02) 9215 8000 Fax: (02) 9215 8180 Web: www.sls.com.au All resources developed by Surf Life Saving Australia are reviewed at least annually and updated as required. Feedback can be supplied through the online Improvement Requests form on the Education Resources page at www.sls.com.au or in writing to the address above. Version 1.0 May 2012

Radio Operators Certificate

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Contents

Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................. 2

Contents ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Course Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 4

Topic 1 - Radio systems and equipment ............................................................................................... 5

Topic 2 - Transmitting and receiving procedures and call signs ........................................................... 6

Topic 3 - Incident procedures ............................................................................................................... 8

Topic 4 - Radio Maintenance .............................................................................................................. 11

Topic 5 - Review .................................................................................................................................. 12

Assessment Information .................................................................................................................... 14

Appendix 1 – Radio Basics .................................................................................................................. 15

Assessment Portfolio .......................................................................................................................... 17

Assessment Task – Practical observation exercise ......................................................................... 18

Learner Guide

4

Course Introduction

This course will teach you how to use the radio communications system that is used in Surf Lifesaving.

Course outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to: • Use communication systems and equipment • Transmit and receive communications • Maintain communications equipment

You will also develop knowledge and skills to enable you to demonstrate competency in the nationally recognised unit of competency: • PUAOPE013A Operate communications systems and equipment This unit also forms part of the nationally recognised qualification PUA21010 Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue). If you already hold your Bronze Medallion Award, you do not need to complete the Radio Operators Award too. Prerequisites

To commence training for your Radio Operators Certificate you must be at least 14 years old.

What you need to complete this course

• a fully qualified Radio Operators or Bronze Medallion Training Officer • a recent edition (32nd or later) of the Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue manual (you may be

able to share with someone else in your group or borrow one from your club) • this Learning and Assessment Guide • access to radio equipment standard operating procedures (SOPs) • opportunities to undertake training and assessment activities, including access to relevant radio

equipment

Radio Operators Certificate

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Topic 1 - Radio systems and equipment

In this topic you will learn: • about the SLSA radio system network

See page 103 of the Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue (note: page numbers refer to 33rd edition) For supplementary information about Radios that is not in the Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue manual, see Appendix 1 – Radio Basics

Group activity 1.1: What are the radio channels that your club uses?

Ask your trainer: what are the channels used at your club? Record the answer in the space below.

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Group activity 1.2: What radios are used at your club?

1. Most clubs use hand-held radios. Are there any other types used at your club? Record the types of radios your club uses in the space below.

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Learner Guide

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Topic 2 - Transmitting and receiving procedures and call signs

In this topic you will learn:

• basic transmitting and receiving procedures and call signs

See pages 104 and 105 of the Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue manual.

Group activity 2.1: Get to know your radio

1. In small groups, examine each different kind of radio you have available and make sure you can identify the: • On/off switch • Battery or power supply indicator • Antenna • Channel selector • ‘Press to talk’ button • Volume control • Inbuilt microphone (or speaker microphone)

2. Practise taking the removable components of the radio apart and putting it together again.

Individual activity 2.2: Reflection exercise

Why do you think trying to transmit a message while running to an incident does not work very well? Select the correct answer from the following four options:

A) You will be out of breath and hard to understand on the radio B) You should be concentrating on getting to the incident C) It can make it difficult for other stations to understand your message D) It is a work, health and safety issue to use a radio while running

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Group Activity 2.3: Identify the call signs used in your area

1. In pairs, work out the call signs that would be used in your area. Write your answer in the space provided:

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2. Check your answers with your Trainer and your class. Add any extra call signs you might have overlooked to your list above.

Group Activity 2.4: What are your local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)?

Discuss as a group what your local SOPs are for notifying SurfCom of rescues and incidents on your beach. Record the answer in the space provided:

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Group activity 2.5: Using prowords (procedural words) (see page 105)

In pairs, using call signs and prowords, place your lunch or coffee order with each other. One person is going to receive the transmission, and the other person is going to send the transmission. Once you have finished one transmission, swap roles and do it again. Try and see if you can use all of the prowords on the list in the manual.

Individual activity 2.6: Reflection activity

Thinking about your role at your club, how would you do a radio check? Write your answer with the correct call signs in the space below:

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Learner Guide

8

Topic 3 - Incident procedures

In this topic you will learn: • Rescue emergency procedures

See page 106 of your Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue manual.

Group activity 3.1: Practice Scenarios

In pairs, practice making the correct radio transmission using the 4Ps (position, problem, people and progress) of the following scenarios for your local area. (If you don’t have SurfCom, your Trainer will advise what to do instead): • Contacting the IRB to do a radio check • Reporting a minor first-aid incident (e.g. a bluebottle sting) at your outpost patrol • Contacting the roving patrol to ask them if they need a break • Requesting an ambulance for a major incident (e.g. beachgoer suffering chest pain)

Individual activity 3.2: What to do during an electrical storm

You will need to access the SLSA Lightning Policy (available on the next page). What does it say about the use of mobile radios during an electrical storm? Select all that apply from the following options: A) It is safe to continue using a radio during an electrical storm B) Avoid the use of radios and mobile phones during a thunderstorm C) You can use a radio to communicate with other patrols as necessary D) If emergency calls are required keep them brief

Radio Operators Certificate

9

Learner Guide

10

Radio Operators Certificate

11

Topic 4 - Radio Maintenance

In this topic you will learn: • Pre-patrol and post-patrol procedures • Routine maintenance of waterproof IRB and hand-held radios • Emergency maintenance procedures if a radio has been submerged in water See pages 106 and 107 of your Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue manual. Group activity 4.1: What to do with a radio that doesn’t work?

Discuss as a group in what order you should take the following steps if your radio stops working during patrol:

A) Switch channels B) Report and record the problem as per your SOPs C) Turn the radio on and off D) Perform a radio check

The correct order is:

...............................................................................................................

Group activity 4.2: Where are your club’s battery chargers?

As a group, ask your Trainer to tell you what your club procedures are for charging radio batteries and where you can find the chargers for each radio. Record the answers in the space below:

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Individual activity 3.3: What paperwork and procedures do you need to complete at your Club?

If you accidentally drop your radio in the water, after you have completed the emergency maintenance procedures discussed previously, what paperwork do you need to complete and procedures do you need to follow at your Club or service? Your Trainer should be able to help you with the correct answer. Record the answer in the space below.

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Learner Guide

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Topic 5 - Review

Work through these questions as a group. You should be able to answer all of these questions prior to your Assessment. Your Assessor will ask you some questions about radio equipment, radio maintenance, local SOPs and any documentation you might need to complete as part of your assessment.

5.1 Radio equipment and channels

1. What is a repeater? A) A kind of radio channel that is used in surf lifesaving B) A radio transmitter that picks up and retransmits radio messages to cover a broader distance C) A type of radio used with VHF radio networks

2. What are the names of two main types of radio networks used in surf lifesaving?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Explain the difference between simplex and duplex radio communication

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5.2 Radio technique

1. How would you begin an initial call to another patrol at your beach? What would you say?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. What is the one word that no call sign should include as part of its name?

A) Emergency B) Disaster C) Rescue

3. What does the proword “break” mean when used during a transmission?

A) I have received and understood all of your last transmission. B) Please wait until I call you back. I need to complete my current job or get more information or assistance for you. Other stations may transmit. C) I have finished a conversation with one station and am calling another without breaking my transmission

4. Radio checks are the quickest way to check what?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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5. What are the four main roles of SurfCom? Or, if you don’t use SurfCom in your area, describe the procedures that are used. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4.3 Procedures and maintenance

1. For any incident you should use the four P’s to pass on accurate information. What do the four P’s stand for?

P……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….P……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….P……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….P……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. What is the emergency call for SLSA?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. What are four tasks that you might perform during regular radio maintenance?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Learner Guide

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Assessment Information

You will be required to do one practical assessment exercise to test your competency in using a

radio.

Assessment Task: Practical observation exercise

Candidates must demonstrate that they can use a radio appropriately in a minimum of two

different scenarios. Your Training Officer will give you the scenarios.

Radio Operators Certificate

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Appendix 1 – Radio Basics

The radio networks used in SLS are two-way networks (not to be confused with broadcast radio networks like the ABC or commercial radio stations that broadcast from a studio to your receiver) that allow communications between fixed transmitters and mobile receivers/transmitters, sometimes also known as “transceivers”. To form a network, fixed transmitters are linked wirelessly across certain frequency bands or “channels”. Radio transmissions are a form of electro-magnetic wave passing through the atmosphere. They can pass through some materials like glass, but not all materials (metals especially) or land masses. That’s why the radios used in SLS work best by “line of sight” transmission. “Repeaters” are fixed transmitters that receive line of sight signals and transmit them on to the next transceiver in order to broaden the coverage of radio capacity, such as where the coastline might interfere with direct line-of-sight. The higher the repeater is located (e.g. on a hill) the further the message can be re-transmitted. Repeaters receive on one frequency, and transmit on another. Only one user can use a simplex channel at a time, and the range of a typical hand-held unit used on the beach might be up to as far as 12km, assuming there are no obstructions. That is, when you are communicating via a simplex channel, you must take turns speaking in order for the signals to be transmitted and received properly. Both radios need to be operating on the same channel for communication to occur. The “frequency” refers to the speed at which the radio waves travel (think about a set of waves in the surf – the frequency is the speed at which they repeat e.g. two per minute) and is expressed in the unit Hertz (a technical radio wave frequency measurement). The process of turning speech into a radio wave that is then captured by the band and turned into speech is called “modulation”. There are two main types of modulation, Amplitude Modulation (A.M.) and Frequency Modulation (F.M.) that require different technical capacities of the radios used. AM is the most often used form, but is susceptible to interference from other electrical sources (e.g. storms, power lines and the like). FM modulation involves using a greater band-width to receive messages in the first instance and then focusing on the precise frequency that you want to exclude unnecessary noise. All SLS radio networks occur within the “FM” band, more specifically, VHF (very high frequency) and UHF (ultra high frequency). “Channels” are the assigning of frequency into the two-way radio. It is important that there is channel uniformity between users so everyone can speak to each other.

Learner Guide

16

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Radio Operators Certificate

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Assessment Portfolio

This portfolio includes all of the evidence you are required to submit to your assessor to demonstrate competence in the Radio Operators Certificate and the related competency listed in the competency record below.

Learner Details

First Name: Surname:

Date of Birth: Club / Group:

Competency Record

SLSA Course Com

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nt/n

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et

com

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nt

Date

Asse

ssor

in

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s

Radio Operators Certificate

Assessment tasks

Practical observation exercise

Nationally recognised units of competency

PUAOPE013A Operate communications systems and equipment

Assessor Name

Assessor Signature Date

Learner Guide

18

Assessment Task – Practical observation exercise

The aim of this assessment task is for the candidate to demonstrate that they can communicate effectively using radio communication equipment in both routine and emergency situations. 1. Candidates will be expected to show the Assessor that they can assemble and disassemble the removable parts of a radio and demonstrate how they would prepare a radio for patrol. Satisfactory (Yes/no): ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 2. Candidates are expected to demonstrate effective use of radio equipment in at least two scenarios.

Assessor checklist

Scenario 1

Com

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ick

for

yes,

leav

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ank

for n

o)

Scenario 2

Com

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(tic

k fo

r yes

, le

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blan

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)

Correct use of portable radio equipment

Correct use of portable radio equipment

Use of appropriate terminology

Use of appropriate terminology

Use of correct call signs Use of correct call signs

Clear and effective communication

Clear and effective communication

Correct radio technique Correct radio technique

Answered verbal question about radio maintenance

Answered verbal question about radio equipment

Answered verbal question about local SOPs

Answered verbal question about radio documentation

The candidate has performed the tasks to the organisational standards required: Radio Operators Assessor Name____________________________ Signature__________________ Date: ___________________

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Course Evaluation and feedback form Course date: ______________ Venue: _______________ Your name (optional): _____________ Trainer(s) and Assessor(s): ________________________________________________________ Your evaluation of this program is very important. It enables us to improve our training programs and the quality of our service.

Statements

Strongly agree

Agree

N/A

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Course Content

The course was explained to me prior to commencing and met my expectations

The course had the right balance between theory and practice

The course was the right duration and intensity

General comments on course content

Course Material

The course materials were clear and easy to follow

The activities were realistic and effective

The course materials will be a useful ongoing reference

General comments on course material

Trainers and Assessors

Knowledge was sufficient to effectively deliver the course

Kept the course interesting and interactive

Provided clear and complete answers to questions

General comments

Overall Outcomes

My knowledge and skills increased as a result of this course

This course has helped me meet or clarify my goals

Course assessment activities were fair and realistic

General comments about the overall outcomes of the course

Thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback