New Radio? Now What?

1. Read the User Guide. Then read it again.

2. Download a Copy of the User Guide to Your Smartphone and Practice Finding and Opening It Quickly.

3. Charge the Battery.

4. Store the Radio in an Open and Conspicuous Space (for example, Kitchen Counter) … remember, Out of Sight, Out of Mind.

5. Tune the Radio to Channel 17, the Butler Hill Precinct Emergency Channel.

6. Practice Using the radio OFTEN, at Least Monthly.

   • If you have 2 Radios, practice around your house and yard and up and down your street.

   • If you have 1 radio, find a neighbor with a radio and practice with them.

   • Join our Butler Hill Precinct Radio Network Test call the 2nd Monday of every month at 6:30 pm. (see Monthly Radio Test)

7. Re-read the User Guide, Concentration on the Settings.

   • Make sure the Roger Beep is turned on.

   • Learn about squelch. Learn how to use the squelch button if your radio has one.

8. Learn How to Turn-on the FM Radio if your unit is so equipped.

9. Learn How to Find the NOAA Weather Channels if your unit is so equipped.

10. Learn How to Automatically Scan the GMRS Channels. Turn on your radio every now and then and just listen as the channels are scanned. Channels 6 and 19 generally have traffic. Also, periodically listen to the weather on a NOAA channel.

11. Keep the Battery Charged. With moderate radio use, charging every month or two is more than adequate to ensure you have a fully charged battery. And, consider buying an additional spare battery or two.

12. Don't forget that your radio is useless in an emergency situation if you don't know how to use it without thinking or having to consult the User Guide.

An important reminder that applies to all areas of preparedness, especially communications ...

• Your skills matter more than the gear.

• Your plan matters more than the radios.

• And, practice matters more than the plan.