A hub station is stood up by a person local to your community who runs a net as the net control operator. This role is for experienced operators. Typically they would have a higher power radio, gain antenna, and the capability to operate using multiple bands and modes such as VHF, UHF, HF, and Winlink. A hub may include more than one person working together, such as a radio operator and a scribe, or a VHF operator, HF operator, and a Winlink Operator.
A relay receives and passes on messages to a hub station, to another relay station (typically closer to a hub) or directly to ACS if they are able. Any station may send a message directly to ACS if they are within range and band conditions allow it. Sending messages directly to ACS is the best option if you are in a position to make it work.
Designated Relay: These relay stations are documented in the communications plan. The NCS knows about these relays and where they are at. If the NCS can not take your message, you may be asked to pass your traffic through a designated relay.
Ad-Hoc relay. Any radio operator who is willing may act as a relay station. These stations are undocumented. We appreciate stations willing to step up and help out. The objective is to move a message to or towards the intended destination.
Anyone who has practiced relaying information from one station to another has a distinct advantage. It is important to get to know the stations in range. Regularly practice your ability to reach each other.
Relay stations often have greater range and operate on more bands and modes than other operators. If you have a handheld radio, find someone in your area with a more powerful mobile or base station, and encourage them to participate as a relay or a hub.
If you know someone with HF capabilities or a station who can do radio email via Winlink, reach out and encourage them to sign up.
Relay and hub stations are similar to each other. The difference with a hub is that we always attempt to publish its approximate location and frequencies in the communication plan. We ask them to be on the air during the COMEX, run a net, and transmit a message asking for check-ins or other traffic at least every 15 minutes during the SET. (Open net at 9:00 AM, close net at 11:45 AM)
Hub or designated relay stations that do not want their location published may use their grid square.
If you expect to be able to participate between 9 AM and Noon and have off-grid electrical power please coordinate with your Emergency Coordinator. We wish to include your station in the ICS 204/205 Incident Radio Communications Plan. Please indicate your interest via the sign-up form. Relay and hub stations may also submit SitReps of their own.
It is common for people who use handheld radios, or even a mobile or base station in rural areas to be out of range, and unable to transmit directly to an NCS. (Net Control Station) Any willing radio operator can act as an ad-hoc relay to help move the message. Simply ask. If the designated frequencies in your area are fairly active, keep it short by transmitting “requesting relay” and your call sign. Wait 5-8 seconds for a response. If you hear no response, make sure to lower or open your squelch, and try again.
You might reach a station that is not participating in the Comex. Explain to them that you are participating in a communication exercise. Provide the location and call sign for the NCS. They may be willing to help. Before proceeding to relay the message traffic, ask them to try to contact the NCS. If they can reach the NCS or another station with contact with the NCS, then it is feasible for that station to act as a relay.
This situation reflects what you may often find in a real-world incident. There are over 1,100 licensed operators in Hawaii County. Many of them do not participate in communication exercises, or may not turn on their radio much at all. Yet, during a disaster, these inactive stations often decide that it is time to get on the air. Depending on the situation, there may be time to provide basic “Just in Time” training to an inexperienced operator. This can benefit everyone. It can result in getting a message through when otherwise it may not have been feasible.