Club Program Ideas: Managing Public Service Communications

In this series on Club Program ideas, I’m providing possible programs for clubs to use in their meetings. You can find a full explanation of the approach in Club Programs – The Series.

Today’s program idea: Managing Public Service Communications.

A proud tradition in ham radio is providing public service communications both in times of need or in times of fun. While communications in the emergency realm with government officials is rigorously evaluated, typical public service events are not.

Usually, when covering a walk or some other public service event, we get together, decide the communications points, and go.

The purpose of this program is to provide how the club manages on the ground the day of the event. Then, build a checklist of what items should be added to improve the event. Should packet be used for communications? What is a good distance between hams on the event course? Simplex or repeater? Or both?

This will get the club members on the same page for how events are managed plus engage in making events better.

Scot, K9JY

Photo Credit: Arizona Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk