Few questions about volunteering

[benvallack]

Hiya,

I'm very interested in joining my local group (Wessex) but have a few questions about how it all works.

What is the situation regarding being 'on call' and availability etc? I work from home so could potentially be quite flexible but would be interested to know what kind of availability, notice etc would be needed. Is availability scheduled weekly or generally on an ongoing basis? How much notice is needed if I'm planning on being unavailable etc.

Also - would I get any contribution for fuel used on callouts?

Thanks!

[Darmain]

Hiya,

I'm very interested in joining my local group (Wessex) but have a few questions about how it all works.

What is the situation regarding being 'on call' and availability etc? I work from home so could potentially be quite flexible but would be interested to know what kind of availability, notice etc would be needed. Is availability scheduled weekly or generally on an ongoing basis? How much notice is needed if I'm planning on being unavailable etc.


Hi Ben,

Quite simple really, although the mechanism behind it is far from that. You get a text asking if you are available to do a job. If you can help you reply, if you can not you stay silent and another driver will be saught. If a situation is predicable (Snow coming in tonight forcast, for example) then you will more than likely get a "heads up" text, asking if you are available. This gives the controllers something to build plans on. Obviously if we to help with a sudden event then no warning will be given, but whether you are available is your choice.


Also - would I get any contribution for fuel used on callouts?

Thanks!

Oh yes indeed. Most of the organisations we assist pay for our services and you will get fuel costs. That is the only payment you will receive and its based on the mileage you cover on that run. There are some runs which we do for other charities which you may get fuel costs covered, but some times not. We also do publicity events which we do not get costs covered but as we are a charity its all in the spirit of being a volunteer.

There's also the advantage you being with a group of like minded guys and girls, having some fun and helping to "make a difference".

Come on then Ben, Sign yourself up. You're more than welcome and you know you want to!! :)

[Darmain]

I should had added that, of course, you will get training on how everything works and there is some equipment that you will be supplied.

[benvallack]

Thanks Dave, that all sounds great! By the way, what's the situation with CB radios? I noticed on the capabilities page that responders are recommended to have one. I don't currently but would certainly be willing to get setup with one if it would make me more useful to the group. Is it something most members have?

[BobWessex]

Ben drop me a PM with your number and I'll call you.

[Darmain]

Bob's the man to talk to Ben. There isn't much he doesn't know about this game.

CB. Most of us have it, as do I. To be fair it spends most of its time doing nothing. But when its needed its worth a million. If you're willing to invest then we've got deals with one or two suppliers. The Wessex website lists one of them, which I used and they were spot on. Whatever kit you use, its got to be legal. We hellp the law, so we can not be seen to break it. Therefore, no kilowatt burners etc. If you're really interested then a number of us are becoming licensed to use Ham radio.....

[BobWessex]

Hi all, I've had a chat with Ben, he's likely to be joining.

[benvallack]

Thanks all - just to say I've now filled in the application form.

[Darmain]

Excellent!! We've got a pub meet at the Bell in Lacock this friday at 8pm. If you want to come along to meet a few of us and have a chat....... Mind you, there's a risk you might end up buying a round.... :D

[benvallack]

Great, will see if I can make it! Bob mentioned the amateur radio stuff, sounds good. Presumably though a CB is still going to be the best bet until most people all have ham radios? i.e does it make the most sense for me to get a CB radio first and then think about ham radio a bit later on as finances allow etc?

[Darmain]

Great, will see if I can make it! Bob mentioned the amateur radio stuff, sounds good. Presumably though a CB is still going to be the best bet until most people all have ham radios? i.e does it make the most sense for me to get a CB radio first and then think about ham radio a bit later on as finances allow etc?

Get CB as this is good for short range comms. 2M and 70cm is good for long range, so better not to tie it up with short range traffic. So, ultimately, the answer is both, ideally. :D

[DaveRoberts]

Heads up, I have a meeting in Devizes this Friday 7-9pm so will try to get along after that ;)

Welcome Ben :D

[Chris Walley]

Presumably though a CB is still going to be the best bet until most people all have ham radios? i.e does it make the most sense for me to get a CB radio first and then think about ham radio a bit later on as finances allow etc?

I don't think there's a 'best bet' with comms, I believe it's best to spread your options.

In the WM4x4R we recommend:
Mobile phone + 12v adapter + Backup Manx network roaming SIM card
PMR radio + 12v adapter
CB radio

We state set channels and advise members set their equipment to default to those.

You can get a Manx Sim card for £5.00 with £5.00 pre loaded credit and just keep that somewhere safe in case you need to use your phone in an emergency and don't have coverage on your network.

PMR radios can be found for less than £50.00 and you can find CB's being pretty much given away.

Of course all the above is useless unless the equipment is tested and members trained in how to use it, something our group is intending to do with all responders at the end of the month.

[benvallack]

Thanks for that - couldn't find anyone to give me a CB radio! Just ordered a Maxon CM10 which looks like a nice little unit for £59. I have a pair of old PMRs as well. Didn't know roaming sim cards existing - presumably they need to be used in a unlocked phone though?

[Chris Walley]

Thanks for that - couldn't find anyone to give me a CB radio! Just ordered a Maxon CM10 which looks like a nice little unit for £59. I have a pair of old PMRs as well. Didn't know roaming sim cards existing - presumably they need to be used in a unlocked phone though?

Yeah can't go wrong with a CB really.

I'm not sure about locked network phones and Manx Sims, you can get simple unlocked mobile phones so cheap now, might have to keep a spare, I'll have to check.

[WessexMario]

Thanks for that ...

Not sure which post you're replying to there...
so note that Wessex don't use PMR as a radio of choice. we use CB and amateur.

[benvallack]

Not sure which post you're replying to there...
so note that Wessex don't use PMR as a radio of choice. we use CB and amateur.

Ah right ok no prob- thanks for clearing that up.

[Chris Walley]

Sorry for confusing things, I've got keyboard diarrhea today

[Pete Keane]

Which team you likely to be in - ie what area you live in?

PMR - I have two handheld ones in the car purely so I can give one to my passenger and they can contact me if needed.

Dont worry too much about kit, you just sort of accrue it as you go along, most of it you'll probably never use....

Cheers

Pete

[Darmain]

PMR - I have two handheld ones in the car purely so I can give one to my passenger and they can contact me if needed.
You might want to expand on that one. Unless you drive a 4x4 Limo. :D

[benvallack]

Which team you likely to be in - ie what area you live in?

Pete

I spoke to Mike yesterday and he said I was going into the West Wilts team - I'm in Bradford on Avon.

Re. the pub meet at Lacock tonight - is that a general meet or specific to a certain team?

[DaveRoberts]

I spoke to Mike yesterday and he said I was going into the West Wilts team - I'm in Bradford on Avon.

Re. the pub meet at Lacock tonight - is that a general meet or specific to a certain team?

It's usually a team meet, but no-one has a problem if another team member comes along for a chat too :D

[WessexMario]

I spoke to Mike yesterday and he said I was going into the West Wilts team - I'm in Bradford on Avon.

Re. the pub meet at Lacock tonight - is that a general meet or specific to a certain team?

It's open to all, whether members, people from other teams or groups, or non-members just wanting to say "Hi, who are you?"
It's much more of a social 'get to know each other' type of event than a formal meeting, I also do a little team admin as and when it's needed, but the best part of it is taken up with the sort of chat you find on this forum ... which is about nearly anything vaguely 4x4-ish. :)

[nutworld]

just out of interest i have read over a few pages about what a member would need to carry

is there a list of what is needed anywhere or could someone pm me a list

so i can see what i may need as to what i may already have access too

many thanks

[BobWessex]

Hi Shaun, that is covered pretty much in the induction.

If you drop a PM to Mario or myself with a phone number we'll get the ball rolling - but please be aware that we're not likely to run another induction before 2012

[nutworld]

just wondered what id need to get started as a basic get me active
will send a pm later on an im not to bothered about the next induction being in 2012
as im slowly going through shogun sorting bits out to make sure things are right
bought with no service history present but was assured it was looked after so doing a thorough
checkup before i do anything

[paul-kent]

cant find the £5 cards, only this (http://www.manxtelecom.com/business/mobile/services/strongest-signal-mobile.aspx)

[Andy.Parkes]

Try this
http://shop.manxtelecom.com/p.aspx?productid=603&groupid=1&categoryid=1&sectionid=6