Club equipment policy

NSARC RADIO EQUIPMENT POLICY

(RADIO RULES)

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 1. PURPOSE

These Radio Rules specify policies that govern the operation of NSARC station equipment.

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 2. OVERVIEW

2.1 NSARC Radio Equipment, while installed for the pleasure and enjoyment of NSARC members with respect to Amateur Radio activities, is also required for Emergency purposes in accordance with our Memorandum of Understanding with NSEMO.

2.2 The Radio Equipment is to be fully functional at all times, as implemented and configured.

2.3 Operating the club stations is a privilege, not a right of club membership. Qualification is required.

2.4 To preserve the operating integrity of the equipment , a club member wishing to operate any station must be a QUALIFIED OPERATOR(QO).

2.5 Club members who are not qualified must have a Qualified Operator present when operating.

2.6 Club members who are Qualified Operators may operate alone. Unqualified members may not operate alone.

2.7 Any member can become a Qualified Operator by completing the basic training Requirements.

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 3. RADIO EQUIPMENT POLICY

3.1 Changes to the Radio Equipment will only be made under the supervision of the Technical Director.

3.2 Hardware installations and Software applications will not be altered by Members.

3.3 Desired changes to station configurations may be proposed by NSARC Members, and be submitted to the Technical Director for consideration and implementation.

3.4 No unauthorized member-provided equipment is to be used or installed.

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 4. OPERATING POLICY

4.1 Equipment malfunction or alterations made that detrimentally affect the operation of the equipment, either accidental or induced, must be submitted as a TROUBLE REPORT.

4.2 Failure to report accidental or induced impairment may result in loss of operating privileges.

4.3 To ensure the ability to recover computer corruption, reset measures may be implemented to restore computer applications to a prior non-corrupt state 8. This may result in the loss of your stored data (i.e. logs).

4.4 The Board retains final authority to approve of or disallow Radio Equipment changes.

4.5 Console 1 and 2 are not NSARC equipment. They are owned and administered by NSEMO, and are not to be operated by club members without ECT Qualifications.

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 5. FOOTNOTES

5.1 Radio Equipment refers to the Radios, Computers, Power Supplies, Cables, Software, Antennas, and all ancillary items associated with each station, owned and / or operated by NSARC.

5.2 The Technical Director is appointed by the Board. This person is responsible for the station operation. Technical Committee members are approved by the Director.

5.3 Radio Equipment wiring is not to be altered.

5.4 Computers are not to be used for personal purposes; their ONLY function is to support radio station operation.

5.5 Only radio-supportive software will be considered for installation.

5.6 Qualified Operators (QO’s) are those who have the basic skills needed to operate the radios, computers and antenna systems. The Technical Director or any QO can certify competency to others. Operators not knowledgeable in the operation of the stations are expected to take the initiative to arrange training and secure their Qualification by working with Qualified Operators.

5.7 It is expected that things will go wrong. Equipment malfunctions, hardware changes, and computer crashes occur. It is expected that these be honestly reported as they will require immediate attention to return the stations to operational status. If an operator notices a deficiency or makes a mistake that impacts operability, it must be logged using the STATION EQUIPMENT TROUBLE REPORT. The TROUBLE REPORT forms are provided in the TROUBLE LOG binder in the Comms Room. Exempt are user changeable settings on radios and software; they are not considered malfunctions.

Operating privileges may be revoked at the discretion of the Technical Director and ultimately the Board if not reported.

5.8 Ghosting of the PC HD’s is done from time to time at known, stable operating points. If the PC becomes corrupted, the HD will be ghosted and recent data may be lost if newer than the last ghost point. Members are encouraged to copy out log or setting data to protect against loss of operating information.

5.9 Passwords may be employed from time to time on PC’s to restrict access and change by Members. This will prevent unauthorized downloads, deletions, file changes or other activity likely to corrupt operation.

5.10 The Technical Director will advise the Board of changes and upgrades to be implemented. The Board can, at its discretion, direct otherwise.