Types of Radios

During a disaster, it is likely the phones will not work and we will need to communicate by radio. There are three basic types of radios:
  • FRS (Family Radio Service) - works great on the block - no license or testing required
  • GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) - works great on the block and between neighborhoods - no testing required but you need to buy a license ($70 for 10 years)
  • Ham Radio - able to reach extended distances and can be used to communicate between neighborhoods and with the City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) - both a license and passing a test are required

Resources

Radio Troubleshooting (Spanish)
Radio Communications Cheat Sheet (Spanish)
Richmond Neighborhood Radio Communications Response Guide

Emergency Communication Nets

Being able to effectively respond after a disaster requires practicing BEFORE a disaster. Here are ways you can get involved in a “Net”, which is a network of radios that are checking into to a central station called a Net Control.
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Ham Radio Nets

Bayshores EmComm Net
This is for ham radio operators to establish a bay wide net. Anyone who can hear the repeater, 145.110, is asked to check it. It is a 2 meter repeater.
Sat. 0900 hrs.
Frequency: 145.110
Tone/Direction: -82.5

West Contra Costa County ACS/RACES
Thurs. 1845 hrs.
Frequency: 145.110
Tone/Direction: -82.5
http://www.wa6kqb.org/

N.ALCO RACES ARES (North Alameda County; Berkeley)
Thurs. 1915 hrs.
Frequency: 147.480
Tone/Direction: Simplex (No need to adjust the tone/direction)
OR
Frequency: 440.900
Tone/Frequency: +131.8
CERT Net
This is for all CERTs who are ham radio operators.
Sat. 0930 hrs.
Frequency: 444.275
Tone: +



Kensington-El Cerrito KARO-ECHO
Thurs. 1900 hrs.
Frequency: 146.415
Tone/Direction: Simplex (No need to adjust the tone/direction)
https://www.karoecho.net/

Marin Co. RACES
Tues. 1700 hrs.
Frequency:146.700
Tone/Direction: -179.9

GMRS Emergency Radio Practice

Ready2React
1st Wed every month 1930 hrs.
Channels: 7-6-5
Channel will be moved from 7 to 6, then 5 if interference; may use FRS
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Richmond Annex Net Control
Tues. 1900 hrs.
Channel: 15
1st Wed two-way radio practice
1st Wed every month 1100 hrs.
Channel: 21 / 462.7000 MHz
Begins after the Richmond Community Warning System sirens sound at 11:00 a.m.
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BeCERTAINN
Berkeley CERT Teams
Tues. 1930 hrs.
Channel: 22R / Tone 88.5
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/becertainn