Radio Calling Procedures

For All Forest Roads in British Columbia as of May 1, 2012[1]

 

  1. “UP” is defined as increasing numbers; “DOWN” is defined as decreasing numbers.
  2. Logging Trucks call “UP” or “DOWN” followed by the kilometer position (i.e. “DOWN 241”).
  3. All vehicles other than logging trucks must identify themselves; pick-up, low-bed, fuel truck, grader, etc, (i.e. “pick-up DOWN 59”, “grader UP 122”). Also, loaded logging trucks traveling in the “Empty” direction should identify themselves as such (i.e. “UP with a load 246”).
  4. Dual-Call Road calling protocol (use on un-posted roads or when in doubt);

·         DOWN vehicles call every ODD km

·         UP vehicles call every EVEN km

  1. Single-Call Road calling protocol (used on posted “Single-Call” roads);

·         DOWN vehicles call every ODD km

·         UP wide loads, fuel trucks and loaded logging trucks traveling in the UP direction call every EVEN km

·         Other UP vehicles call only “must call” signs

  1. Must call situations for both UP and DOWN vehicles are:

·         When entering a new road system.

·         At posted “must call” signs.

·         Whenever there is a road frequency/channel change, or when leaving a road.

·         Whenever you are stopping and parking on the road, and again when you resume.

·         Whenever you encounter a vehicle traveling without a radio.

  1. Convoy calling (multiple vehicles travelling together)

·         The lead vehicle is responsible for calling for all vehicles in the convoy

·         It is the responsibility of the vehicle joining or leaving the convoy to inform and to receive confirmation from the lead vehicle.

·         Convoys can be no more than 1 km long.

·         A vehicle more than 1 km behind the lead vehicle is no longer part of that convoy and must call their own position.

  1. Never pass any vehicle without notifying them on the radio and receiving the “OK”.
  2. Avoid distractions while monitoring the road channel;

·         No unnecessary radio chatter.

·         Avoid noise distractions i.e. AM/FM radios, phones, music players, passengers

·         Stay on designated road channel at all times while traveling.



[1] From http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/dpg/ForestRoads/FSRIndex.htm