VERN • Special Signal Tones
Network Control and Group Leaders (with a GMRS radio+license) could use additional audible DTMF tones to indicate certain conditions on a Volunteer Emergency Radio Network. These tones are sent using the radio’s numeric keypad as described here for the two basic signal tones.

NOTE: FRS radios generally have no keypad and are NOT able to produce tones.
SPECIAL SIGNALS
For Network Control & Group Leaders ONLY, three (3) additional special audible signals are proposed. Most VERN operators will not send these but could hear them.
(3) Danger Level Signal
Keys Name
### ### ### ### ### “Danger !“
### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### “HEY !!“
• Press “pound” key 3x rapidly (a ‘triple-tap‘)
• Pause for one (1) second between each ‘triple-tap’
• Repeat ‘triple-taps’ 5x-10x (more indicates higher danger)
• 10x = highest possible danger level (catastrophe: almost never used)
NOTE: These signals are sent by Network Control
—> Only to the Emergency Alert Channel (FRS 9, GMRS 33)
—> Only when there is useful incident info to broadcast.
—> Followed by:
A brief incident summary.
More info on Main VERN Repeater channel (FRS 8, GMRS 23)
(4) Group Leaders / GMRS “Gather” Signal
Keys Name
88 33 77 66 “Group Leaders Gather“
• ‘Musical’ tone for NetCon/Group Leaders to call all GMRS operators*
• Press & Hold each key Twice (2x) holding for a half second each
• Pause 1 second between pairs
NOTE: Spells “VV EE RR NN” for Volunteer Emergency Radio Network operators. Variations on this are still being proposed and refined.
* GMRS operators are the network‘s backbone, leading the groups and relaying other people who cannot be heard: this calls them together for something important.
(5) Test Signal
Keys Name
218 218 218 “Start Test / End Test“
• Used by operators to: test the Repeater and train on using signals.
• Press each key Twice (2x) holding for a half second each press.
• Pause 1 second between pairs.
• Preceded by saying “START Test Alert” out loud.
• Followed by saying “Test Alert END” out loud.