Posted: 10/22/2014 2:43:17 AM EDT
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I'm looking to put a short set of instructions together for different types of HTs that my family has... Icom T90A, Yaesu VX-7R and VX8-DR... and trying to come up with the essential operations that would let someone use a radio that will have pre-programmed frequencies for the most part.
The basic operations I've come up with include:
Does this sound like a sufficient list? My family does not have a ham license, so these instructions are for crisis/SHTF situations (unless and until I can get them to get their Tech licenses). I've got small Maxpedition packs for each of the radios, antennas, mice, spare batteries, adapter to 12v SAE (for connection to SAE-equipped wall chargers and lighter plugs/Battery Tender plugs). The goal is to have these with the instructions in various BoBs so we can grab and go. |
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That's a lot for those who aren't necessarily familiar with those hts.
You'd be better off making sure the Yaesu's start in Memory only mode… The easiest way to get family on the radio who doesn't have much radio experience…give them commercial gear. My dad uses my radio equipment all the time…he grew up in the CB age and FM commercial gear is easier to operate than a CB. Just turn it on, pick a channel and start talking. |
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Enter freq via VFO... solution, channelize the simplex frequencies. Put them in memory.
It is a lot easier, and less chance of losing the other person, if you were to say, "Go to Ch. 42" instead of "QSY to 146.460." Pictures are a must. Use Paint to draw arrows, circles, put in captions. What is the PTT button? Where is it? Which knob do I twist to turn it on? A picture will help greatly. Get some "fresh eyes" to read through your instructions and follow along, do all the steps. When I do the "quick start" guides for club station equipment I have the daughter of one of the members go through, powering up the gear, all the way up to where all she has to do is press PTT to transmit. If it passes this test it is good to go. Try to avoid jargon, slang, acronyms, etc, without explaining what they mean. Such as my mention of PTT, the first time mentioned you might say, "Push-to-Talk button (aka PTT)..." and use PTT thereafter. And to some, what the hell is a VFO? You have to explain what these things mean in plain English.
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Quoted:
That's a lot for those who aren't necessarily familiar with those hts. You'd be better off making sure the Yaesu's start in Memory only mode… Quoted:
That's a lot for those who aren't necessarily familiar with those hts. You'd be better off making sure the Yaesu's start in Memory only mode… Quoted:
Enter freq via VFO... solution, channelize the simplex frequencies. Put them in memory. Agreed. I really WANT to operate my HTs and the various functions can be challenging to invoke. I can only imagine what a confusing pain in the ass they would be for a mildly interested user. I have the VX7Rs and have programmed memory channels for simplex use and required tones/offsets for my local repeaters. I'd suggest starting in memory mode, lock the functions you don't need and let them select between 'on/off', 'volume' and 'channel number' If you want to keep them (other users) on a limited number of frequencies and reduce potential for operator error, limit the number of memory channels you install. |
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What you want to avoid is having the casual user get lost in the radio, and not able to get back to where he was before,
thus losing contact with you or anyone else. KISS is the prescription here. As far as repeaters, you need only the local ones, or ones local to areas you are likely to be traveling through or traveling to. Simplex frequencies, you don't need all, you just need, say, 5 or 10, enough so that if one frequency is being used, your family and friends can find an unused frequency. That's all you need is one other unused freq available. You don't need 40 or 50 frequencies to do that. The less button pushing and knob turning the group needs to do, the greater the chance of communicating successfully. This is why I say, don't bother trying to tell them how to program PL tones and splits in the field, cross band repeat, or anything other than, "Go to Ch. 14." Turn on, adjust volume, choose a channel, press PTT. That's the extent of what they should have to do. Everyone does not need to scan. One person that knows how can scan, and if necessary, tell the rest of the group, "Go to Ch. 17." Above all, more simple is more better. |
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Everyone is making some good points. I'll want to segregate the functions into different categories, like basic operations, using band and channels, scanning, and advanced operation. Steps to return the radio to the intended defaults will also be included.
While one purpose of the cheat sheets is for my family (and we will have to run some drills using FRS freqs for operating), another equally valid reason is to remind me how to utilize any of the HTs without a manual at hand. To that end I'm going to add my FTM-350 and DR-605 to the list, and include configuring for cross-band repeater ops using the HTs thru the 605 or the 350. And, packet ops. |