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VRN GUIDE

FOR USING THE HAND HELD RADIOS

Talking on the Radio

After you have turned on your radio, you must depress the Push-To-Talk (PPT) button for about two seconds before you begin to talk.  You will then give your code name or the full name of your community.  For example:  This is TR4 calling Net Control….do you copy…..over.  Or, This is TR4 testing…..can anyone copy…over.  Or, This is TR4 calling RR1…..do you copy….over.  Before you begin to talk, listen to the radio for a minute or two just to be sure you are not interrupting someone else’s conversation.  Say “over” when you are finished.

Who can talk on the Radio

Only persons with a Member Code may transmit, as we are licensed by the FCC.

No one will use profanity.  The radio may only be used by persons over the age of 18 unless under the direct supervision of a Member.

Conversation Length

If, while talking on the repeater, if you speak for four minutes without a break….the repeater will shut off, or “time out.”  After a minute or two, the repeater will recycle and be ready to accept your message.  To keep this from happening when you continue to speak for an extended time, let up on the PTT button for a second or two, and then continue to speak before the repeater can “time out.”

Nets and Net Controller

What is a Net?  Well, it’s a party line where everyone listening gets a chance in a rotation to speak. To Keep order, one person is assigned the task of Net Controller.  The Net Controller’s job will be to speak to all members and begin a “Meeting-on-Air” by allowing a roll call and bringing up for discussion a topic of community interest or make announcements of interest to the group. Members will be invited to join the discussion.

Emergency Net Controller

When there is a community-wide emergency such as a hurricane or pandemic,  the Emergency Net Controller (ENC) will be the only person to accept traffic from anyone on the radio.  The ENC will direct emergency traffic to the Naples Fire and Rescue, to the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), the CERT team or the Vineyards Maintenance Team.  The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has several representatives in our VRN Membership and they will be able to lend assistance in many cases.  The Vineyards Maintenance Team (Pro Tree Farms) also has a radio and will be able to respond to Calls for help, such as clearing roadways. 

Emergency Operation Center

The Emergency Operation Center of Collier County (EOC) is where all government agencies gather during an emergency to coordinate activities within the county.  When we receive a message from the EOC that a hurricane is approaching, the ENC of our VRN will take complete charge of VRN Broadcasts.  The ENC will immediately have a Roll Call and ask if anyone has urgent needs such as shelter, transportation, etc.  The VRN Network will be active until the EOCissues a Stand Down when the crisis is over.  All activity on the VRN Network will be under the direction of our ENC.

Radio Use During an Emergency

Members will use their code names when broadcasting.  All messages will be relevant to the Emergency.  The ENC will begin the emergency operations on Channel 8 (VCA).  This channel uses our antenna on Vista Pointe and gives better reception.  If the Channel 8 antenna goes down in a storm, the ENC will switch all communication to Channel 1 (VRN).  This channel uses the antenna at Pelican Bay as a back-up channel.  During the storm Irma, we had to switch and use the Pelican Bay Antenna.  If Members wish to communicate separately within their communities, we ask that they use Channel 3 (VW), which is on the Vista Pointe Antenna, or Channel 2 (Emergency) on the Pelican Bay antenna.

VRN Website

For further information about the VRN, please go to our website:

vrnemergencyradio.com  GCGrant  5/5/20