RACES
is a local or state government program established by a civil defense
official. It becomes operational by 1) appointing a Radio Officer,
2) preparing a RACES Plan, and 3) training and utilizing FCC licensed
Amateur Radio operators. RACES (whether part of an ACS, or as a
stand along unit) is usually attached to a state or local government's
emergency preparedness office, or to a department designated by
that office, such as the sheriff's, or communications department.
The participants are screened for loyalty and reliability prior
to taking and signing an oath. The jurisdiction may decide to call
it something other than RACES, but the function remains the same.
In technical terms, this a program that supports a local government
pursuant to authority in the FCC regulations for the Amateur Radio
Service IF AND WHEN amateur radio frequencies are used. For any
other use of unit personnel, FCC regulations do not apply. To repeat:
FCC Part 97 regulations for the Amateur Radio Service apply ONLY
when the Amateur Radio Service frequencies are used; otherwise
the unit can be utilized for any communications related purpose.
RACES
STATION
An amateur radio station licensed to a civil defense organization,
not to an individual. There are very few RACES stations left in
existence. The FCC has not issued a RACES station license since
1982. A personal or club callsign used at an OES Emergency Operations
Center (EOC) may be a station operating in the RACES, but it does
not, repeat NOT, constitute a RACES station. The foregoing must
be thoroughly understood when reading FCC regulations that define
points of communications. The Commission's intent applies when
RACES resources are used in a wartime context and is not meant
to detract from peacetime Amateur Radio operator use. There is
no reason for Amateurs to fear that their equipment may become
a RACES station, and thus the property of the government, if they
sign up in RACES.
SEMS | RIMS
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