Signal Operating Instructions (SOI) SUGGESTION

GMRS Radios & Helmet Comms
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Is there (will there be) an SOI? A set of pages that set out standard procedures and rules and responsibilities for radio communications?

I see there is a great start, but would be willing to help develop this document and procedures.

For example, each route needs a Signal Officer to coordinate all things radio, in and between routes.
–Establishes the Route Net
–Radio type (GMRS)
–Frequency and tones, and for sub groups.
–Who must have comms.
–Call Signs
–What needs to be transmitted and under what conditions (net discipline).

Major groups, like Road Guards, Platoon Leadership, Fuel Team, Ambassadors and so on need a Commo Leader to coordinate with the Signal Officer and within their groups.
–Coordinates a Group Net (with Route Signal Officer) to keep group traffic off the Route Net.
–makes sure equipment meets guidelines and operational requirements.
–enforces radio discipline.

Frequency Manager (one to do all four routes)
Establishes Route Frequency and tones
Assigned or approves sub net Frequency requested by groups.
Assembles all this data into a concise document that can be referred to quickly when necessary.

For example, perhaps a road guard needs to communicate with the fuel team, there would be a list of channels published ahead of time so these could be programmed into the radios.

The pack is on the Route Net but the fuel team and Ambassadors do not need to be on the Route Net.

A suggestion is for a volunteer position Signal Officer reporting to the Assistant Route Coordinator, an additional duty for the Assistant Platoon Leader (within Fuel, Ambassadors and so on) as Commo Leader.

As for the Frequency Manager I think that position is obvious already de-facto filled by Kirk Olson…he just needs a clerk to pull it into a document.

Perhaps I’m over thinking this. I’m a Retired Signal Operations Sergeant Major (31Z5M). Bit I am willing to help with this. (I’m on SR, Merchandise Driver for Carol).

Or we can do what we did in the past. EVERYONE on the same Frequency and the RC telling the platoons to stay off the radio.

Greg Noller
Kerrville
73s de N5GAN

elmer_01

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I think this is an excellent idea!

I’m not a comms guy ( I’m an FNG once removed) but i am setting up coms for a few people who plan on riding next year. The GMRS rradios are a great idea, and knowing the CTCSS freqs allow me to preconfigure some radios and stuff.

Last year, when i was an FNG, I listened in to comms using a handheld. I highly recommend this as it adds depth and dimention to the ride. (It also handles the “Are we there yet…” question) For people who want to LISTEN in using low-power FRS walkie-talkies, they will have to set the channel and privacy channel. I hope anyone with gray matter enough to set these also know enough to keep quiet, and just listen.

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@wichitagreg Call me sometime we can discuss

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+1 - Great idea.

FNG, here. This would provide great guidance for us FNG’s.

Talk-around channels for platoons, etc, while monitoring primary ch 22 for road guard radio traffic, directions, etc. The GMRS Pro has that capability as do many other GMRS radios. A/B selection to switch between the two, if necessary transmitt on the other.

Coming from the uninitiated.

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it’s almost as though someone has been in the comm field and had a Comm’s Officer to yell at/with, developed a guard chart (what we called it in the Marines for what nets to cover) haha!! radio discipline is like the difference in watching pro soccer or watching little kids chase a soccer ball around a field. You still go, it’s still fun, anybody can do one, but you need to keep in mind that it takes practice and rehearsals to get the other one right - that’s why it’s called radio discipline.

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I created the original post as a suggestion because my experience in Platoon Leadership basically consists of being asked (told) to stay off the radio.

In my opinion, Platoon leader and tailgunner need to talk.

Plt leader and tailgunner can listen on pack Leadership freq and only talk on Platoon freq. These radios allow that pretty simply. Each Platoon can have its own channel.

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good word, 100% agree

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Kirk, Can the Cardo Packtalk EDGE somehow be paired up with the GMRS Radio?

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Hello Maverick, Hope you don’t mind replying on your question regarding Cardo Packtalk Edge paring with GMRS Radio (assuming have the GMRS Pro). Yes it can, I currently have mine set up with my cell phone paired on Phone 1 and GMRS Pro on Phone 2. Then when reconnecting each day turn phone and GMRS on then Cardo, it will auto connect to both (also can hear it audibly connect) and does so quite quickly.

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Yes. Pair it as a 2nd phone. We have other people already using Cardo. I assume it allows 2 “phone” connections. The cardo and Sena think the radio is a phone.