Emergency Communications
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What is Emergency Communications?
While Amateur Radio is a hobby, many amateurs are interested in emergency communications or Encomm. Through organized groups and nets, amateurs can practice their skills and be available for public service in times of local disaster. There are a number of organized groups and nets in the Acton area.
What is an Amateur Radio Net?
An Amateur radio net is a gathering of amateur radio operators on the air using a wide variety of radio bands and frequencies. Most nets convene on a regular schedule and specific frequency. They can be organized for a particular purpose, such as emergency communications, discussing severe weather, offering help and support to portable or mobile stations, or simply a friendly gathering of radio operators who share a common interest.
ARES - Amateur Radio Emergency Service Net
Nevada Section
Saturday of each week
at 8:00AM on 3.965MHz
Antelope Valley Amateur Radio Club Weekly Net
Wednesday of each week at 8:00 PM
Hauser Repeater 146.730MHz (-) PL 100
ARRL Southwest Division Net
Sunday each week at 8:00AM on 3.965MHz
ARES - Amateur Radio Emergency Service Net
High Desert District
Tuesday of each week
at 8:00PM
Hauser Repeater 146.730MHz (-) PL 100
DARN 8 Repeater 446.740MHz (-) PL 107.2 Last Tuesday of each month
Emergency Organizations That Include Amateur Radio
CERT – Community Emergency Response Team
The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. A significant number of CERT members who were not already amateur operators become so after joining CERT. More info - Link
ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Service
ARES consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. The local ARES section supports communications between our local hospitals in the Antelope Valley with those hospitals located in the greater Los Angeles area. More info - Link
RACES - Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
RACES is organized and managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is a national emergency communications organization governed by special FCC rules and, like that of ARES, is to provide communications assistance to public and private agencies during a civil disaster or emergency. The organization is open to all amateur radio operators and invites your participation.
RACES groups are organized and managed by local, county, or state civil-defense agencies that are responsible for disaster services and activated during civil emergencies by state or federal officials. More info - Link
LACDCS – LA County Disaster Communications Service
DCS is an organized group of amateur radio operators supporting LA County emergency communications needs in the time of an emergency. The group operates under the umbrella of the LA Sheriff’s department. More info – Link
NTS - National Traffic System
During disasters or other emergencies, radiograms are used to communicate information critical to saving lives or property, or to inquire about the health or welfare of a disaster victim. - Link
Skywarn
Thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning cause hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions in property and crop damages each year. To obtain critical weather information, the National Weather Service (NWS) established SKYWARN® with partner organizations. SKYWARN® is a volunteer program with between 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service. - Link
The Emergency Management Department of the City of Los Angeles has designated the Los Angeles Fire Department to manage its amateur radio program under the Auxiliary Communications Service agreement with the State Office of Emergency Services. Because Auxiliary Communications Service Members are authorized by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Service, ACS Members are sworn Disaster Service Workers. The LAFD Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) is the Official Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Group for the City of Los Angeles and is the RACES organization for the City of Los Angeles. - Link
The United States Air Force Military Auxiliary Radio System provides contingency communications support on behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense and other U.S. Government users in support of their important and diverse national security missions whenever, however and wherever required. - Link
Wilderness Communication
Excellent information on using your Amateur Radio in wilderness areas. Courtesy of KG6HQD
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