Not
many people would ever get philosophical about go-kits, but I have.
I don't really have a go-kit, so maybe that's why I've taken the
time to think about one.
Eventually,
I will have one, and I will probably need some time to put it
together. As I build the kit, I will follow the philosophy presented
here.
But
first a word about go-kit lists. Most hams know that ARES has a
list. I was an Emergency Management volunteer at one time, and they
had a list. I'm sure CERT has a list, SAR has a list, Red Cross has
a list, Salvation Army has a list, every group that responds to
emergencies and disasters has a list.
If
you belong to more that one group, you could drive yourself crazy and
broke trying to put together a go-kit for every group. Crazy is bad
enough, but crazy and broke is worse!
What
to do, what to do???
Well,
how about one kit? You will probably notice that most lists are
similar, with many common items. And the lists are mostly
suggestions anyway, with only a few items required by the group that
issued the list.
Create
your own list, one customized to your own needs as well as the needs
dictated by the situation and environment you will be operating in.
As
you draw up this list, classify everything by 3 categories: radio
needs, operator needs, and human needs.
Radio
needs are, of course, what you need to make the radio work, The radio
and mode you plan on using will determine those needs.
For
a handheld, your needs should be simple: aftermarket antenna, speaker
mic or headset, extended battery pack, with backups for the antenna
and battery.
For
a mobile or base used as a portable station, the needs will be more
complex. Think of these needs as systems: power system, antenna
system, operating accessories.
The
power system is the power source (battery, generator, solar panel,
etc.), and the cords and connectors needed to get the power from the
source into the radio.
The
antenna system is the antenna, antenna support, and feedline.
Operating
accessories are things that attach to the radio to make it work in
the chosen mode: mic or headset for voice mode; code key, paddles, or
bug for CW; computer, TNC, patch cords, and possibly adapters for
data modes not using a sound card modem or SDR.
Now,
don't confuse operating accessories with operator needs. Operator
needs are things you need to function as an operator; notepad,
writing instruments, ICS forms, flashlight, ARES vest and badge, etc.
Human
needs are things you need as a HUMAN: food, water, prescription and
over-the-counter meds, spare eyeglasses, hearing aids, change of
clothes, toiletries, grooming aids, etc.
One
important factor I haven't mentioned yet is time, that is, the
duration of the event, or the length of one shift for longer
activations. The longer the event, the more consumable items you
will need – food, water, medicines, batteries, etc. You might also
need to add items that could need replacement without being consumed,
such as clothing. At the very least, I recommend at least one change
of underwear and socks for every day beyond a one-day event..
Also,
for longer activations, you might consider adding items for
give-aways. The bigger the event, the more likely that someone will
show up without a flashlight, or they find that theirs is broken. If
you stock your kit with a few extra flashlights, even cheap ones like
the ones you can find two on a card for a couple of dollars, then you
could give them one. It might not last too long, but it means they
can spend their time helping, instead of looking for a working
flashlight, or leaving. It also means that you don't have to lend
them your good flashlight, that you might not get back, or you wind
up doing the work they couldn't do because they didn't have a
flashlight.
The
usual recommendation is to have a one-day bag, and a three-day bag.
I've
also thought of a “ready kit.” It would be enough to get you
through an eight to twelve hour shift, in case of immediate
activation at a moment's notice. You would keep it in your car at
all times, so that you can respond immediately if you receive an
activation call while out driving to work, to school, to church, to
the store, or home, and you don't have time to go home to get your
full kit. You should be able to stay on the job until relieved.
Now,
I'll mention an item you should have in your kit, but you won't find
it on any of the other lists: a copy of the list. Why include a copy
of the list in your kit? Because, during a long activation you will
probably remove items from your kit as you use them, and have to put
them back. The longer the activation, the items you are likely to
remove and use. The more items you remove, the more likely you are
to forget something. If you wait until you get home to check your
kit and you find you forgot to pack something, you will probably have
to buy a replacement.
One
final word about consumables: keep them fresh. Use them up and
replace them on a regular basis. You should check your kit anyway
once a month or so, and that would be a good time to use and refresh
consumable items.
Happy
go-kit building!
