Context: Power is out for hours. Cell networks are overloaded or dead.

Objective: Establish a stable radio link with all family or team members.

Steps:

1. All participants start with radios off.
2. Leader declares a primary channel and tone.
3. Everyone turns radios on at the same time.
4. Leader performs roll call using clean comms discipline.
5. Switch to a backup channel and repeat the check-in.

Common Failure Points:

• Wrong channel or tone
• Volume set too low
• Dead or weak batteries
• No one confirms with “copy” or “five by five”

Context: A team member separates during a hike, convoy, or evacuation.

Objective: Use disciplined comms to locate and guide the missing person back.

Steps:

1. Missing person gives a short 1-second key-up (no voice) at intervals.
2. Team leader and others listen and reposition to improve signal.
3. Switch to a simplex high-power channel if needed.
4. Missing person provides directional clues:
   • “I hear traffic to my south.”
   • “I’m near running water.”
5. Team gives concise navigation instructions to guide them back.

Common Failure Points:

• People talking over each other
• Long, rambling transmissions draining batteries
• Not changing channels or positions when reception is bad

Context: Perimeter security at night.

Objective: Conduct quiet status checks without giving away exact locations.

Steps:

1. Spread security positions around the area.
2. Leader whispers into the mic: “Raven-Base, status check. Over.”
3. Each position responds with single-word replies: “Green.” / “Holding.” / “Clear.”
4. During the drill, switch to an alternate channel once, then repeat check-in.

Common Failure Points:

• Speaking too loudly at night
• Giving unnecessary location details
• Forgetting the channel change

Context: Simplex range is limited by terrain; switching to a repeater becomes necessary.

Objective: Practice quickly moving the entire group from simplex to a repeater channel.

Steps:

1. Start on a simplex channel (e.g., Channel 16).
2. Leader says: “Break — switch to Repeater One.”
3. All participants change to the programmed repeater channel.
4. Each member transmits: “Copy on repeater.”
5. After confirmation, leader orders switch back to simplex or backup channel.

Common Failure Points:

• Incorrect tones or offset on repeater
• No one confirms successful connection
• Chatter clogging the repeater

Context: Your group must evacuate quietly with minimal noise.

Objective: Use minimal voice and simple code words to coordinate movement.

Steps:

1. Leader issues coded evacuation order: “Raven-Base: Stormfront.”
2. Team acknowledges with simple “Copy.”
3. Movement updates limited to one-word transmissions: “Moving.” / “Set.” / “Clear.”
4. If danger appears, call word is: “Blackout.” (All radios go silent until cleared.)

Common Failure Points:

• Long transmissions during a stealth movement
• Team members forgetting code words
• Loud speaking or nervous chatter over the air

Context: Your neighborhood or mutual aid group forms a survival radio net after a disaster.

Objective: Establish and run a structured GMRS community net.

Roles:

• Net Control (NCS)
• Relay station(s)
• Check-in stations
• Emergency caller

Procedure:

Common Failure Points:

• People talking without waiting for NCS
• No one acting as relay, so weak stations never get heard
• Net becoming chaotic under stress

Context: Your primary radio dies at a critical moment.

Objective: Practice switching to a backup radio quickly and cleanly.

Steps:

1. Trainer calls: “Primary failure — switch to backup!”
2. All participants:
   • Turn off primary radio.
   • Deploy backup radio.
   • Switch to designated emergency channel.
3. Each station confirms: “Backup active.”

Common Failure Points:

• Backup radio not pre-programmed
• Fumbling gear under stress
• Group not re-establishing comms on the same channel