OPERATING
Phase One
Initial contact will be the customary exchange of the following information.
It is required for the station Blue Ham contact log.
* Time (Zulu)
* Frequency in use
* Contact Callsign
* Radio Check results
* Contact Location (Maidenhead Locator)
* Contact Transmitter Power
* Contact Antenna Type
* Contact Antenna Direction
Others information is optional like equipment Make and Model, operator name, location, local weather conditions, will also be logged by the Cadet operator.
In the interest of Safety, Cadet operators will maintain the formality of RAFAC radio procedure, no operator names, personal amateur callsigns or unit locations will be given.
Cadet units will use the Maidenhead Locator square to give a 6-character reference of the Unit location.
OPTIONAL – Phase Two
Ice Breaker
The repeating of the initial contact information listed at Phase One in second or subsequent contacts with a Callsign already contacted may become boring for both the Cadet and Amateur operator.
An OPTIONAL extension to the exercise has been included.
The Amateur station may be asked if they are willing or able to participate in Phase two, ‘Ice Breaker.’ Which is the exchange of an 8 or 10 character Maidenhead locator used to identify a feature of location of interest.
Participation in Ice Breaker
The following information is required for the Contact Log.
* Time (Zulu)
* Frequency in use
* Contact Callsign
* Radio Check results
If conditions are favourable and the other station is prepared to participate in Ice Breaker, the exchange of the message and reply can take place.
Using RAF Cranwell as an example, the Maidenhead Locator square 6-character reference for RAFAC HQ at RAF Cranwell is: IO93RA, an identifiable feature is located at IO93RA88OS.
The simple message would be what is located at,
IO93RA88OS.
The reply would be the Lord Trenchard statue (RAF Cranwell).
Or if the Maidenhead locator was given as IO91XM01TU
the reply would be the Ravens Enclosure (Tower of London).
Obviously, it will take time to locate the feature or location of interest from the Maidenhead locator given. The call may be terminated with ‘Wait Out’ or ‘Out’ to give the callsign time to identify the location.
To maintain the flow of radio traffic, the actual reply to the question may be deferred to a subsequent contact with the originating callsign.
