1. Kings Point Amateur Radio Club (KPARC) operates the Disaster Radio Service (DRS) on a "BEST EFFORT" basis in accordance with the State of Florida Good Samaritans Act (768.13) and Florida Volunteer Protection Act - 768.1355. Thus assumes no liability either implicit or implied. DRS MEMBERS AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD KPARC AND ITS MEMBERS AND AFFILIATES HARMLESS FROM ALL LIABILITY, COSTS (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS AT THE TRIAL AND AT ALL APPELLATE LEVELS), AND DAMAGES WITH RESPECT TO USE OF THE SERVICE.
2. In order to set expectations, it’s important the users of the DRS Program understand the technical limitations and capabilities of the radios we use.
3. The radios we offer and support as part of the registrations process are common devices marketed to allow unlicensed users to communicate with each other in casual settings like backyard bar-b-ques, and other family adventures. Their use is not regulated. Anyone has access to the frequencies they use and can interfere with your personal communications. This generally doesn’t happen, but it could and there is no law to prevent accidental or unintentional interference.
4. The radios we have selected and tested work well within our community, offer good power management, and a convenient form-factor. They will generally work with other similarly-programmed radios made by other manufacturers, but that is no guarantee that radios made by other manufacturers will work with the DRS system. Please consult a KPARC member to resolve any incompatibility issues.
5. The inexpensive radios come with a fixed antenna which limits their reach. We have found most of these radios will be able to reach our elevated club antenna if they are within a couple of miles. Most radios in this classification will be able to reach a listening station if they are within a mile because our listening stations have special licenses that allow them to operate with more privileges including external antennas.
6. The radios are affected mostly by “line of sight”. If there is a structure or obstacle between you and the radio you are attempting to communicate with it may be an issue. Moving just a few feet or to a window might have significant effects. The radios are also affected by positioning. A radio held vertically, horizontally, or diagonally will all behave differently.
7. Sometimes communications issues are weather-related and conditions change from day to day. This is true of all radio communications, even your cell phone may be different from day to day.
8. All radios can be impacted when two people speak at the same time. This is unavoidable but listening before talking can help. The Kings Point Amateur Radio Club believes this system will benefit the community, while at the same time offers residents a consumer product useful for other purposes.
9. KPARC holds a test network each Wednesday morning to ensure users are able to connect to a listening station and to make sure their radio works. Details and reminders of the Test Net are communicated weekly to the DRS membership via email and all DRS members are strongly encouraged to participate. In order to remain in the program, you must participate a minimum of 4 times per year. Failure to do so may result in the removal of your account from the program. In order for your participation to be validated, you must be confirmed and logged by a listening station.
10. The Kings Point Amateur Radio Club and associated listening stations are providing the "best effort" service without warranty or liability. It is important to note, we are volunteers with families and may be dealing with real problems just like yours. In an actual emergency, you will need to be patient, persistent, and considerate. Your attempts to contact a listening station may be affected by the situation on the ground. It is the responsibility of the residents to keep their radios charged (at least once per week) and test them regularly.
11. The DRS Net is only monitored during the Wednesday morning test and during real emergencies that have the potential to take out power and communications. The DRS Net channel should be reserved for emergency use. Residents are encouraged to choose another channel for communications within their local neighborhood. You should do this in advance.
12. The majority of the email communications for all KPARC member programs utilize the email list/distribution services of Google Groups. As with the above Terms of Service, you are also agreeing to abide by Google Groups content policy which can be found at https://support.google.com/groups/answer/4561696?hl=en.