LESSON 28

Preparation for emergency operations, RACES/ARES, safety of
life and property, using ham radio at civic events, compensation
prohibited

Emergencies can come at any time anywhere. For hams who plan to participate in emergency operations it is important that they be ready at all times. Some things you can do to assure readiness are: 1. At least twice a year check to make sure all your emergency response equipment is available and know where it is; 2. Make sure you have a way to run your equipment if there is a power failure in your area; 3. Participate in drills that test your ability to set up and operate in the field.

Some alternate sources of power which may be used during an emergency are the truck or car battery, a bicycle generator, and portable solar panels

Membership in emergency response groups like RACES and ARES should be considered. RACES’ primary functions are restricted to serving local, state, and federal government emergency management agencies while ARES primarily support agencies like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and National Weather service.

Amateurs wishing to participate with RACES must register with the responsible civil defense organization before they will be able to do so. ARES only requires its members have a valid Amateur Radio license.

Time and effort should be spent to learn proper operating procedures during emergency operation. During such times the operations become much more formal then normal day to day amateur activities. Casual conversation between stations during a public service or emergency operation should be avoided because idle chatter may interfere with important traffic.

In times of genuine emergencies many rules which seem hard and fast at other times may alter. One of these changes involves the use of non-amateur frequencies or equipment to call for help. If immediate danger to life or property is involved you may use any means at your disposal to call for help on any frequency. This would include modifying an amateur radio transceiver to operate on local fire department frequencies.

An amateur radio station may transmit an SOS or Mayday when there is an immediate threat to human life or property. False distress messages are serious infractions of the law and can result in prison and/or stiff fines.
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It should always be remembered that amateur radio communications are not to be for the purpose of profit for anyone even during disasters. Sometimes it requires careful scrutiny on the part of an amateur to know if a piece of traffic is legitimate. A reporter may ask you to use your amateur station to make a news report but reporters and the news media are profit making businesses and thus the reporter should be advised that the FCC prohibits such use. The reporter may not have knowledge of such prohibition so tell them kindly but firmly.

1. T8B01 (D)
What can you do to be prepared for an emergency situation where your assistance might be needed?
A. Check at least twice a year to make sure you have all of your emergency response equipment and know where it is
B. Make sure you have a way to run your equipment if there is a power failure in your area
C. Participate in drills that test your ability to set up and operate in the field
D. All of these answers are correct
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2. T8B02 (C) [97.403]
When may you use your amateur station to transmit a "SOS" or "MAYDAY" signal?
A. Only when you are transmitting from a ship at sea
B. Only at 15 and 30 minutes after the hour
C. When there is immediate threat to human life or property
D. When the National Weather Service has announced a weather warning
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3. T8B03 (A)
What is the primary function of RACES in relation to emergency activities?
A. RACES organizations are restricted to serving local, state, and federal government emergency management agencies
B. RACES supports agencies like the Red Cross, Salvation
Army, and National Weather Service
C. RACES supports the National Traffic System
D. RACES is a part of the National Emergency Warning System
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4. T8B04 (B)
What is the primary function of ARES in relation to emergency activities?
A. ARES organizations are restricted to serving local, state, and federal government emergency management agencies
B. ARES supports agencies like the Red Cross, Salvation
Army, and National Weather Service
C. ARES groups work only with local school districts
D. ARES supports local National Guard units
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5. T8B05 (C) [97.407(a)]
What organization must you register with before you can
participate in RACES activities?
A. A local amateur radio club
B. A local racing organization
C. The responsible civil defense organization
D. The Federal Communications Commission
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6. T8B06 (B)
What is necessary before you can join an ARES group?
A. You are required to join the ARRL
B. You must have an amateur radio license
C. You must have an amateur radio license and have Red Cross CPR training
D. You must register with a civil defense organization
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7. T8B07 (D)
What could be used as an alternate source of power to operate radio equipment during emergencies?
A. The battery in a car or truck
B. A bicycle generator
C. A portable solar panel
D. All of these answers are correct
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8. T8B08 (B) [97.403, 97.405(a),(b)]
When can you use non-amateur frequencies or equipment to call for help in a situation involving immediate danger to life or property?
A. Never; your license only allows you to use the frequencies authorized to your class of license
B. In a genuine emergency you may use any means at your disposal to call for help on any frequency
C. When you have permission from the owner of the set
D. When you have permission from a police officer on the scene
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9. T8B09 (C)
Why should casual conversation between stations during a public service event be avoided?
A. Such chatter is often interesting to bystanders
B. Other listeners might overhear personal information
C. Idle chatter may interfere with important traffic
D. You might have to change batteries more often
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10. T8B10 (B)
What should you do if a reporter asks to use your amateur radio transceiver to make a news report?
A. Allow the use but give your call sign every 10 minutes
B. Advise them that the FCC prohibits such use
C. Tell them it is OK as long as you do not receive compensation
D. Tell the reporter that you must approve the material beforehand
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11. T8B11 (C) [97.403, 97.405(a),(b)]
When can you use a modified amateur radio transceiver to transmit on the local fire department frequency?
A. When you are helping the Fire Department raise money
B. Only when the Fire Department is short of regular equipment
C. In a genuine emergency you may use any means at your disposal to call for help on any frequency
D. When the local Fire Chief has given written permission


Answers: D C A B C B D B C B C