Field Operations - Type III Part B and Type II

Prior to attending this class, the student should have completed the following prerequisites:

• Valid Technician class or higher Amateur Radio license
• Santa Clara County ARES/RACES instructor-led training courses:
  • Field Operations - Type III Part A
• Santa Clara County ARES/RACES self-paced video courses:
  • ICS-214-SCCo Unit Activity Log (About 20 min. - MP4 - 87 MB)
  • ICS-309-SCCo Communications Log - Part 1 (About 20 min. - MP4 - 193 MB)
  • ICS-309-SCCo Communications Log - Part 2 (About 15 min. - MP4 - 175 MB)

Note:  The above prerequisites are not strictly enforced. But in order to get the most out of this course, you should have previously attended the above courses. If you have not yet attended one or more of the prerequisites, you should carefully review the course materials for the missed prerequisites prior to attending this course. Then, be sure to attend any missed prerequisites at your earliest opportunity.

Prior to class, read the following:

• The Hidden Node Problem
• Mobile VHF/UHF Voice Radio Considerations
• General VHF/UHF Antenna Considerations
• General Coaxial Feedline Considerations
• Application Note: AGM vs. LFP Battery Test (PDF)

3 hours

NOTE:  Depending on the number of participants, class questions and interaction, be prepared for the class to run over the scheduled time by up to 15 minutes.

• Copy of all course materials (see below)
• Pen/pencil and pad of paper
• HT with headset or ear bud and batteries to last on low power for class time

At the end of this two-part course, students will be able to:

• Describe the role of the field operator, including
  • Served agency needs, field assignment types, SCCo ARES/RACES Credentialing Program
• Explain and perform basic safety procedures
• Properly execute an assignment, including
  • Mobilization, selecting equipment, field operations, dealing with problems, demobilization
• Understand and use field operations checklists

The first part of this course included:

• Mastering Field Communications
• Supporting Our Served Agencies
• Field Communications Assignments
• Credentials
• Safety
• Simulated deployment
  • Mobilization
  • Setting up a Station

This part of the course continues with:

• Simulated deployment (continued)
  • Type III Field Equipment
  • Type II Field Equipment
  • On Site Operations
  • Traffic Types
  • Message Passing Intro
  • Advanced Techniques
  • Dealing With Problems
  • Demobilization
• Checklists

Classroom presentation (10-Aug-2024):

• 1 slide per page (Landscape PDF - 7.2 MB)
• 1 slide per page (Portrait PDF - 7.0 MB)
• 2 slides per page (PDF - 7.0 MB)
• 3 slides per page (PDF - 6.9 MB)
• 4 slides per page (PDF - 6.6 MB)

Prior to coming to class:

• Read the following:
  • The Hidden Node Problem
  • Mobile VHF/UHF Voice Radio Considerations
  • General VHF/UHF Antenna Considerations
  • General Coaxial Feedline Considerations
  • Application Note: AGM vs. LFP Battery Test (PDF)
• Study the prerequisite course materials
• Find the following slides with questions and fill-in-the-blanks and answer the questions using what you learned from the prerequisites classes.
• Slides 11, 13, and 97
• Complete the following self-paced video courses:
  • ICS-214-SCCo Unit Activity Log (About 20 min. - MP4 - 87 MB)
  • ICS-309-SCCo Communications Log - Part 1 (About 20 min. - MP4 - 193 MB)
  • ICS-309-SCCo Communications Log - Part 2 (About 15 min. - MP4 - 175 MB)

Print out and bring the following to class: (these should be in your Go-Kit)

• Qty 1:  Recommended Radio Routing Cheat Sheet (PDF)
• Qty 1:  Radio Routing Slip (PDF)
• Qty 1:  Shelter Status Form (PDF)
• Qty 1:  Jurisdiction Status Form (PDF)
• Qty 1:  Allied Health Facility Status Form (PDF)
• Qty 1:  EOC-213RR Resource Request Form (PDF)
• Qty 1:  ICS-213 Message Form (PDF)
• Qty 1:  Field Operations Checklist [Rev. 26-Jan-2024] (PDF)
• Qty 1:  SCCo ARES/RACES Performance Standards and Best Practices (PDF)
• Bring your ICS-205, ICS-211A, ICS-214 and ICS-309 forms from Part A of this class, and your copy of "SCCo ARES/RACES Performance Standards and Best Practices". If you don't have them, then bring:
  • Qty 1:  ICS-205 Communications Plan - Example (PDF)
    • Using the instructions on the back, try to understand and be able to explain what each of the entries on the front page means
  • Qty 1:  ICS-211A Check-In List (PDF)
  • Qty 1:  ICS-214 Unit Activity Log (PDF)
  • Qty 1:  ICS-309 Communications Log (PDF)

IMPORTANT: See additional location-specific items on the sign-up page