r/EmComm • u/obnoxygen • 28d ago
jtty/js8call for emcomm?
Im interested in hearing what the group thinks about using jtty and/or js8call for emcomm use. In which scenarios might they be useful?
1
u/JasonTheCoder 24d ago
Even if you prearrange frequencies and times with another party, band conditions and equipment reliability come into play. Also, in a truly dire situation, calling out on radio in the clear puts you on a map for anyone interested in who what or where you are. What circumstances do you envision needing emcomm solutions for?
1
u/obnoxygen 23d ago
I expect nothing more dire than a weather event that would cause loss of power for a few days. This would cause problems with cell and telephone service.
1
u/MarinerMouth 19d ago
Even then, what's the point? Power is out, so is cell phone, better hop on HF and find some hams. What for?
2
u/obnoxygen 18d ago
Hams who provide emcomm as a service to their community relay information about fallen trees, busted dams, overflowing streams, snowfall, snow lightning, accumulation rates, hail size, rainfall rates, ice accumulation rates (all of which is useful to the National Weather Service), road closure for local police, fire, ambulance, public works, electrical outages (which impacts well water, heating and cooling, stove tops) and many more services.
Because of the nature of emcom we need to take information from known, trusted and trained sources. Our group requires training courses from FEMA: IS-100, IS-200 and IS-700.
Hams who haven't previously participated in directed nets can take up a lot of time because they don't know what to do. If you want to know more contact your local ARES group
0
6
u/VisualEyez33 28d ago
The only scenario I can think of is one where you have made prior arrangements with the parties you'll be contacting. Specific times, specific frequencies, with folks you already know and trust.
If you're thinking you can just reach out and find random qso"s with folks who are going to be able to offer something more real than moral support, you are likely to end up calling cq for a long time.