Notfunk Deutschland e.V.

participated in GAREC-08 and presented an emergency communications trailer during HamRadio 2008.

In 2007, Notfunk-Deutschland has been registered as an association with the aim of supporting authorities and organizations with emergency response functions, by providing emergency communications using amateur radio equipment on the amateur radio bands.

Such support includes the following:

  • Supplementing the own networks of institutional response providers with services these networks can not normally provide, such as the transmission of image, position and weather data;
  • Providing a means of communications for the affected population in case of wide area disruptions of public networks;
  • Establishing long distance communication links;
  • Providing links into other communication networks such as those of construction enterprises, providers of heavy equipment or logistics and transport;
  • Supporting the institutional providers in respect to planning and establishment of multi-functional networks while strictly respecting the separation between the amateur radio service and other services;
  • Temporarily supporting special technical services by complementing their equipment;
  • Supporting training courses on emergency communications in general and courses for professional responders’ staff wishing to obtain an amateur radio license;
  • Providing training for radio amateurs interested in cooperation with institutional providers of emergency and disaster response.

In order to fulfil these tasks, radio amateurs are being trained according to an established concept. Training is a top priority for us; in an emergency situation, operators not specifically prepared for their role in emergency response are likely to be a burden rather than an asset.

Our training includes basic subjects such as first aid and the general rules governing on-site emergency response operations, but also more special subjects such as the interpretation of weather data and instruction on operational procedures in networks of institutional responders on the example of the rules in force in Hessen. The training is split into modules, allowing the adaptation to specific requirements.

Of particular importance is the training in operational procedures, which enables an amateur radio operator to understand the concept of messages and technologies in the networks of the agencies they support. This “know-how” is indispensable for an effective service. Professional responders have established structures, based on training for specific activities such as fire fighter or machine operator. This is not normally the case among amateur radio operators volunteering in emergency communications support. At Notfunk-Deutschland we welcome cooperation with other amateur radio groups and organizations and we consider training according to the above concepts as particularly important.

The so far informal cooperation with the German Red Cross Section Hessen has been formalized in May 2008. This partner suggested a formal agreement on cooperation following very positive experiences in past joint activities. Additional cooperation agreements, with partners such as administrative Districts with responsibilities for disaster response, are presently being prepared.

In Germany, communications support by the amateur radio service during emergency situations is still in an early stage. In some neighboring countries such partnerships are far more developed. In some cases, amateur radio operators are integrated into disaster response mechanisms, such as civil defense structures. One of the reasons for this situation might be the fact that Tetra networks are already in full use in these countries, while they are only just being introduced in Germany.

Notfunk-Deutschland is financed exclusively from voluntary contributions.

Notfunk-Deutschland does not want to be a competitor of DARC. We are strictly specializing in emergency communications, while DARC covers the complete spectrum of amateur radio activities. Without the work done by DARC, important decisions concerning the regulation of amateur radio in Germany would certainly not have been achieved. Our approach to the use of amateur radio in support of emergency and disaster response does however differ from that of DARC. This was the reason for the creation of an own, specialized organization.

More information is available on our web site:

Thomas Fuell,

President, Notfunk-Deutschland e.V.