June 2nd, 2021, GMRS Radio Test Result by NLCC

Background:

One of the key findings from the Echo Mountain Complex fires was a lack of communication for citizens in many locations around the county.

One way to help solve that is for North Lincoln County CERT (NLCC) to develop and test a communication strategy from a central “command” location to each “island” where our members live.  This strategy could receive and transmit valuable information in an emergency.

June 2nd, 2021, GMRS Radio Test:

Our first attempt will be at 8PM on June 2nd, 2021, after the member (and guest) meeting.  This will allow people time to get home from the Bob Everest station and get settled.

Here’s how it will work … if all goes well … which it won’t.  :>)

You will need a GMRS radio for the test.  We have a couple in-stock if you do not already have one.  It needs to be a radio capable of receiving GMRS channels 1-22 but we will focus on channels 15, 18-22.

If you are interested in getting a more "feature rich" radio, one that a few of the people in NLCC already have, and is recommended by STCEVC, get the BTech GMRS V1.  More here on Amazon.  David can program it for you … which means adding quite a few public safety frequencies to listen to (e.g. NLFR, LCPD, Lincoln County Sheriff, etc).  You can read more about it here as well on the NLCC blog.

  • We will use an “island” based GMRS Radio communications plan

    • Common Channel Across all Islands - channel 15

    • Otis and 3 Rocks Road Areas - channel 22

    • Roads End, Palisades - channel 21

    • Neotsu, Devils Lake (east, west) - channel 20

    • Wecoma, Oceanlake, DeLake - channel 19

Nelscott, Taft, Cutler City - channel 18

David Jamieson led the communications test.  He was stationed outside the Bob Everest Fire Station in Oceanlake.  David used his BTech GMRS V1 radio on Channel 15 and set at high (5 watt) power.  Raul, Kate, Jamie/Diane, RobC, DebbieB, JoyceE also had BTech GMRS V1’s.


Communication Result:


Name

Island

Successfully Communicate?

Island Channel

Perceived Signal Strength (0-10) 10 highest value:

NancyB

Otis and 3 Rocks Road Areas

No

22

0

BobW

Otis and 3 Rocks Road Areas

No

22

0

RaulG

Roads End, Palisades

Yes

21

8

KateG

Roads End, Palisades

Yes

21

8

DebbieB

Roads End, Palisades

Yes

21

6

RobC

Roads End, Palisades

Yes

21

7

BobL

Neotsu, Devils Lake (east, west)

Yes, via relay with RaulG, heard BobL once then not again

20

1

KimS

Neotsu, Devils Lake (east, west)

No

20

0

JamieC

Neotsu, Devils Lake (east, west)

Yes but signal was weak

20

4

DianeC

Neotsu, Devils Lake (east,west)

Yes but signal was OK

20

6

JoyceE

Wecoma, Oceanlake, DeLake

Yes

19

9

KenM

Wecoma, Oceanlake, DeLake

No, using Motorola walkie talkie

19

0

SteveS

Nelscott, Taft, Cutler City

No

18

0

StanS

Nelscott, Taft, Cutler City

No

18

0


Description:


  • David was NOT able to connect with:

    • NancyB

    • BobW

    • KenM

    • StanS

    • SteveS

    • KimS

  • David was able to clearly connect with:

    • JoyceE

    • Raul and KateG

    • RobC

  • David connected (marginally) with:

    • DebbieB

    • Jamie and DianeC

  • David was able to connect via Relay with:

    • BobL

    • (Dell heard Raul but did not connect with him)


Lessons Learned:

  • Continue practicing radio skills (protocol)

  • Write down all communication details for accurate read back (copy)

  • Would be interesting to try test with people stationed at:

    • Rose Lodge FS

    • BobW House

    • NancyB House

    • DellJ House

    • Otis FS

    • Westwind

    • Cascade Head Ranch

    • Baptist Church at E. Devils Lake Rd and Hwy 101

    • Palisades (RaulG) House

    • Neotsu (BobL) house

    • KimS House

    • Roads End (RobC) House

    • Bob Everest FS

    • Regatta Park

    • JoyceE House

    • LCPD

    • Outlet Mall

    • Taft 7-12 High School

    • St. Clair/Taft FS

    • SteveS House

    • StanC House


I’m thinking that to be successful with communication across the entire NLCC service region:


  • BobW and NancyB could talk with DellJ

  • Someone at OtisFS might be able to talk with someone at the Baptist church and Westwind/CHR

  • Baptist Church person may be able to get to BobL or RaulG

  • DellJ could talk with RaulG

  • BobL might connect with KimS (BobL may need better radio)

  • Jamie/DianeC, if at Regatta Park, might be able to talk with KenM

  • KenM (LCPD) might be able to talk with someone at Outlet MallTaft 7-12

    • KenM needs a 50 Watt Base station with a large antenna at the LCPD!

  • Taft 7-12 might be able to talk with someone at Taft FS

  • Taft FS likely to be able to talk with StanC and SteveC


Mapped Result:


Red = no success

Yellow = success with marginal signal

Green = crystal clear

Purple - via Relay

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