Santa Clara County OES, California
ARES/RACES

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Course Description:  Introduction to Emergency Communications

This is an introductory training course for new hams who may be interested in Emergency Communications. It is the first in a series of courses offered to prepare for entrance into the Santa Clara County Mutual Aid Communicator Program.

Intended Audience: New hams who may be interested in Emergency Communications
Prerequisites: Valid Technician class or higher Amateur Radio license
Length: 3.5 hours
Students should bring: 2m/70cm dual-band HT radio (if they have one) with instruction manual.  Students who do not yet have a radio will be provided one for use during the on-air exercise at the end of the course.
Learning Objectives:

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Explain VHF/UHF FM technology used in EmComm
  • Use band plans, frequency lists, repeater directories
  • Configure their radio for simplex and duplex operations
  • Participated in a directed net
  • Make direct contacts
  • Describe the use of packet mode in EmComm
  • Select and EmComm radio and accessories
  • Understand local EmComm organizations
  • Understand what to do next, after this class
  • Make real on-the-air contacts with a Net Control operator
Topics Covered:

The course agenda includes:

  • VHF/UHF simplex and duplex (repeaters: tone, offset)
  • Voice operating techniques (with directed net exercises)
  • Additional EmComm modes (packet, APRS, ATV, HF)
  • Radios and accessories for EmComm
  • EmComm organizations (county; SPECS/SVECS, cities)
  • On-air exercise
Scheduling Info: http://www.scc-ares-races.org/activities