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Class originally presented 10/10/2017

Radios are primary communication for teams

BCSAR uses 3 type of radios

1. BCSO “trunk” handheld radio – only used by SAR command staff, trained on BCSO communication procedures. System allows for contact with BCSO communications, helicopter ops, dive team as well as other LE agencies through-out the state.
2. BCSAR hand-held Radio – issued to team member/teams. A dual band (UHF/VHF) system, there are 5 assigned BCSAR frequencies, Escambia SAR frequencies (CART ops), and select marine VHF channels. The units can also monitor FRS channels 1-6 and NOAA weather. This is the primary radio for communication with the BCSAR command post and other teams. Range depends on conditions but expect 1-2 miles (or more) for reliable conversations.
3. FRS/GMRS radios – optional use by team members, for direct/line of sight communications. These are what are known a “blister-pack” radios and can be found in most department/sporting goods stores. They operate on the UHF band and offer very limited distance. We always operate on privacy code 1.

Transmission Guidelines

• Transmission should be short
• Speak clearly
• Assume you are being monitored.
• No “10 codes” are to be used
• Us phonetic alphabet for spelling names/words
• Know what you want to say before transmitting
• DO NOT transmit anything you don’t want the public to hear

Transmission Format

YOU: “SAR (or Team) # to SAR Base”
RESPONSE: “SAR (or Team) # , go ahead”

You can acknowledge the receipt or understanding of a transmission with the term “copy”

Channels for operation and other details (i.e. status checks, etc.) will be covered during team leader briefings.

All BCSO-SAR members are encouraged to purchase the small and inexpensive FRS radios, and bring these to call-outs. These radios are particularly useful for communication within a squad, over short distances.

A typical radio communication scheme for a ground search operation is shown in the figure. Here the Communications Center communicates with the Squad Leaders over long range with the UHF radios, while the Squad Leaders communicate with the Squad Team members with FRS radios, over short range.

This scheme follows a communication “chain of command,” and avoids excessive interference in the communication to and from the Communications Center.