Formal Declaration of Communication Emergency

1
Formal Declaration of Communication Emergency

• During natural disasters and other emergencies,
  certain amateur frequencies may be needed by hams
  supporting relief efforts. During such times,
  the FCC may issue a formal declaration of
  communication emergency. An FCC declaration of a
  temporary state of communication emergency may
  include any special conditions and rules to be
  observed during the emergency, including
  frequencies to be used only by hams participating
  in the emergency. (See 97.401(b))
• After the FCC has declared a communications
  emergency you must avoid those frequencies
  dedicated to supporting the emergency unless you
  are participating in the relief effort.

2
Frequency Use

• The effect of a declaration by the FCC is to
  legally restrict a frequency to emergency-only
  communication. (See 97.401(b)) If the FCC has
  not made a formal declaration of a communication
  emergency, no one has the exclusive use of a
  frequency.

3
Responding to Emergency Calls

• If you are in contact with another station and
  an emergency call is heard, you must stop your
  contact immediately and take the emergency call.
  
• If you hear someone reporting an emergency, you
  should assume the emergency is real and act
  accordingly.
• Emergency traffic (messages) has priority over
  all other amateur communications. Priority must
  be given to stations providing emergency
  communications at all times and on all
  frequencies! (See 97.101(c))

4
Making an Emergency Call

• You may come upon an emergency such as a car
  accident. When you need to initiate an emergency
  call on amateur radio, you should say "Mayday,
  Mayday, Mayday" followed by "any station come in
  please" and identify your station. Mayday is
  recognized as the universal emergency voice
  distress signal.

5
Making a False Emergency Call

• Making a false emergency call is serious
  business with severe penalties possible. You
  could have your license revoked, be fined a large
  sum of money, or even be sent to prison. (It may
  also be a serious violation of state law as
  well.) Making a false call is just not worth it!

6
Communicating with other Radio Services

• Many amateur radios may be easily modified for
  extended frequency coverage. Amateurs may
  communicate with stations operating in other
  radio services outside of the ham bands under two
  conditions. First, when specially authorized by
  the FCC such as in the declaration of a temporary
  communications emergency, or second, when there
  is an actual emergency. (See 97.111(a))

7
Tactical Call Signs

• When you help the authorities during an
  emergency, they may not understand amateur call
  signs. They may prefer that you use tactical
  call signs such as "command post" or "weather
  center" during an emergency. One reason for
  using tactical call signs is because they are
  more efficient and help coordinate public-service
  communications. The FCC permits the use of these
  call signs, but you still need to comply with
  regular station ID requirements.

8
Check-Up Time!

• Now lets try the questions from this group.
• You should make a note of any that you miss for
  later review.

9
T8A01

• What information is included in an FCC
  declaration of a temporary state of communication
  emergency?
• A. A list of organizations authorized to use
  radio communications in the affected area
• B. A list of amateur frequency bands to be used
  in the affected area
• C. Any special conditions and rules to be
  observed during the emergency
• D. An operating schedule for authorized amateur
  emergency stations

10
T8A01 Answer - C

• 97.401(b)
• (b) When a disaster disrupts normal
  communication systems in a particular area, the
  FCC may declare a temporary state of
  communication emergency. The declaration will set
  forth any special conditions and special rules to
  be observed by stations during the communication
  emergency...

11
T8A02

• Under what conditions are amateur stations
  allowed to communicate with stations operating in
  other radio services?
• A. When communicating with the space shuttle
• B. When specially authorized by the FCC, or in an
  actual emergency
• C. When communicating with stations in the
  Citizens Radio Service
• D. When a commercial broadcast station is
  reporting news during a natural disaster

12
T8A02 Answer - B

• 97.111(a)
• (1) Transmissions necessary to exchange messages
  with other stations in the amateur service,
  except those in any country whose administration
  has notified the ITU that it objects to such
  communications. The FCC will issue public notices
  of current arrangements for international
  communications
• (2) Transmissions necessary to exchange messages
  with a station in another FCC-regulated service
  while providing emergency communications
• (3) Transmissions necessary to exchange messages
  with a United States government station,
  necessary to providing communications in RACES
  and
• (4) Transmissions necessary to exchange messages
  with a station in a service not regulated by the
  FCC, but authorized by the FCC to communicate
  with amateur stations. An amateur station may
  exchange messages with a participating United
  States military station during an Armed Forces
  Day Communications Test.

13
T8A03

• What should you do if you are in contact with
  another station and an emergency call is heard?
• A. Tell the calling station that the frequency is
  in use
• B. Direct the calling station to the nearest
  emergency net
• frequency
• C. Disregard the call and continue with your
  contact
• D. Stop your contact immediately and take the
  emergency call

14
T8A03 Answer - D

• Emergency traffic ALWAYS has priority over
  routine communications.

15
T8A04

• What are the restrictions on amateur radio
  communications after the FCC has declared a
  communications emergency?
• A. The emergency declaration prohibits all
  communications
• B. There are no restrictions if you have a
  special emergency certification
• C. You must avoid those frequencies dedicated to
  supporting the emergency unless you are
  participating in the relief effort
• D. Only military stations are allowed to use the
  amateur radio frequencies during an emergency

16
T8A04 Answer - C

• When the FCC declares a communications
  emergency, part of that declaration includes
  frequencies available to stations assisting in
  that emergency situation. If you are not a
  helping out in the emergency, you should not
  transmit on the designated frequencies!

17
T8A05

• What is one reason for using tactical call signs
  such as "command post" or "weather center" during
  an emergency?
• A. They help to keep the general public informed
• B. They are more efficient and help coordinate
  public-service communications
• C. They are required by the FCC
• D. They increase goodwill and sound professional

18
T8A05 Answer - B

• Tactical callsigns are not a substitute for
  amateur callsigns, but they can be used to help
  coordinate communications when you are providing
  communications support for non-hams.

19
T8A06

• What is legally required to restrict a frequency
  to emergency-only communication?
• A. An FCC declaration of a communications
  emergency
• B. Determination by the designated net manager
  for an emergency net
• C. Authorization by an ARES/RACES emergency
  coordinator
• D. A Congressional declaration of intent

20
T8A06 Answer - A

• 97.401(b)
• (b) When a disaster disrupts normal
  communication systems in a particular area, the
  FCC may declare a temporary state of
  communication emergency. The declaration will set
  forth any special conditions and special rules to
  be observed by stations during the communication
  emergency. A request for a declaration of a
  temporary state of emergency should be directed
  to the EIC in the area concerned.

21
T8A07

• Who has the exclusive use of a frequency if the
  FCC has not declared a communication emergency?
• A. Any net station that has traffic
• B. The station first occupying the frequency
• C. Individuals passing health and welfare
  communications
• D. No station has exclusive use in this
  circumstance

22
T8A07 Answer - D

• No station has exclusive use of a frequency in
  the absence of a declared communications
  emergency. However, even though this is not one
  of the choices for this question, you must yield
  the frequency to emergency traffic - with or
  without an FCC declared emergency.

23
T8A08

• What should you do if you hear someone reporting
  an emergency?
• A. Report the station to the FCC immediately
• B. Assume the emergency is real and act
  accordingly
• C. Ask the other station to move to a different
  frequency
• D. Tell the station to call the police on the
  telephone

24
T8A08 Answer - B

• You must always assume that a person who says
  he or she has an emergency does, in fact, have an
  emergency. If that turns out not to be the case,
  it can be dealt with later by the FCC, but you
  should never refuse to yield the frequency just
  because you are not sure.

25
T8A09

• What is an appropriate way to initiate an
  emergency call on amateur radio?
• A. Yell as loudly as you can into the microphone
• B. Ask if the frequency is in use and wait for
  someone to give you permission to go ahead before
  proceeding
• C. Declare a communications emergency
• D. Say "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday" followed by "any
  station come in please" and identify your station

26
T8A09 Answer - D

• The universal emergency signal for phone is
  "Mayday!"

27
T8A10

• What are the penalties for making a false
  emergency call?
• A. You could have your license revoked
• B. You could be fined a large sum of money
• C. You could be sent to prison
• D. All of these answers are correct

28
T8A10 Answer - D

• All of these answers are correct. Falsely
  declaring an emergency could buy you a whole lot
  of trouble, and it just isn't worth it!

29
T8A11

• What type of communications has priority at all
  times in the Amateur Radio Service?
• A. Repeater communications
• B. Emergency communications
• C. Simplex communications
• D. Third-party communication

30
T8A11 Answer - B

• 97.101(c)
• (c) At all times and on all frequencies, each
  control operator must give priority to stations
  providing emergency communications, except to
  stations transmitting communications for training
  drills and tests in RACES.

31
T8A12

• When must priority be given to stations
  providing emergency communications?
• A. Only when operating under RACES
• B. Only when an emergency has been declared
• C. Any time a net control station is on the air
• D. At all times and on all frequencies

32
T8A12 Answer - D

• 97.101(c)
• (c) At all times and on all frequencies, each
  control operator must give priority to stations
  providing emergency communications, except to
  stations transmitting communications for training
  drills and tests in RACES.

33
Group T8B

• Group T8B covers preparation for emergency
  operations, RACES/ARES, safety of life and
  property, and using ham radio at civic events.
  It also emphasizes that compensation for such
  activities is prohibited.

34
Emergency Communications

• Emergency communications is a major public
  service of ham radio, and every ham can help,
  regardless of license class. There several
  simple things you can do to be prepared for an
  emergency situation where your assistance might
  be needed. They include
• Check at least twice a year to make sure you
  have all of your emergency response equipment and
  know where it is.
• Make sure you have a way to run your equipment
  if there is a power failure in your area.
• Participate in drills that test your ability to
  set up and operate in the field.

35
Emergency Power

• When you hear the term emergency power for
  your equipment, you probably think of a big
  generator. That is certainly one source of
  emergency power, but any of the following could
  also be used as an alternate source of power to
  operate radio equipment during emergencies
• The battery in a car or truck
• A bicycle generator
• A portable solar panel

36
Calling for Help

• There is only one time when may you use your
  amateur station to transmit a "SOS" or "MAYDAY"
  signal, and that is when there is immediate
  threat to human life or property. (See 97.403)

37
Using Other Radio Services

• As a Technician licensee, you will be licensed
  to operate only on amateur frequencies. However,
  you can use non-amateur frequencies or equipment
  to call for help in a situation involving
  immediate danger to life or property because
  under FCC rules, in a genuine emergency you may
  use any means at your disposal to call for help
  on any frequency. (See 97.403, 97.405(a),(b))

38
Using Modified Amateur Equipment

• Many amateur transceivers can be easily
  modified to transmit outside of amateur
  frequencies. However, unlicensed operation
  outside of amateur frequencies is generally
  illegal, and using modified equipment on other
  radio services may also be illegal. The one
  major exception is that you can you use a
  modified amateur radio transceiver to transmit
  on, say the local fire department frequency, only
  in a genuine emergency. If there is a true
  emergency, you may use any means at your disposal
  to call for help on any frequency. (See
  97.403, 97.405(a),(b))

39
RACES

• RACES is an acronym for Radio Amateur Civil
  Emergency Service. It is one of two major
  emergency service organizations. The primary
  function of RACES in relation to emergency
  activities is to serve local, state, and federal
  government emergency management agencies. RACES
  does not support non-governmental organizations.
  In order to become a RACES member and participate
  in RACES activities, you must first register with
  the responsible civil defense organization. (See
  97.407(a))

40
ARES

• ARES is an acronym for Amateur Radio Emergency
  Service and it is the other major emergency
  communications organization.
• Unlike RACES which supports only government
  agencies, the primary function of ARES in
  relation to emergency activities is to support
  both public and private agencies such as the Red
  Cross, Salvation Army, or the National Weather
  Service.

41
ARES Membership

• The only thing required for you to join an ARES
  group is that you must have an amateur radio
  license. Once you join an ARES group, you will
  probably have the opportunity to receive
  additional training.
• (NOTE At the time this outline was being
  prepared, many ARES-supported organizations are
  also requiring completion of certain FEMA
  courses. However, if you see a question on your
  test about ARES participation, assume that the
  only requirement is an amateur license.)

42
Communicating During an Emergency

• During a public service event casual
  conversation between stations should be avoided
  since idle chatter may interfere with important
  traffic.
• Hams love to talk so much that we even have a
  special name for it rag-chewing! But when
  theres work to be done, hams should stick to
  business.

43
Business Use of Amateur Radio

• Always remember the rule that says you cannot
  use amateur radio for business. For example, if
  a reporter asks to use your amateur radio
  transceiver to make a news report, you should
  advise the reporter that the FCC prohibits such
  use. Dont compromise your license!

44
Check-Up Time!

• Now lets try the questions from this group.
• You should make a note of any that you miss for
  later review.

45
T8B01

• 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

46
T8B01 Answer - D

• All of the choices are excellent ways to
  prepare for an emergency.

47
T8B02

• 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

48
T8B02 Answer - C

• 97.403
• No provision of these rules prevents the use by
  an amateur station of any means of
  radiocommunication at its disposal to provide
  essential communication needs in connection with
  the immediate safety of human life and immediate
  protection of property when normal communication
  systems are not available.
• By the way, "Mayday!" is the universal voice
  signal for an emergency, and "SOS" is the
  universal Morse code signal.

49
T8B03

• 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

50
T8B03 Answer - A

• Races is an acronym for "Radio Amateur Civil
  Emergency Service." This service is regulated by
  the FCC with input from the Federal Emergency
  Management Agency (FEMA), to provide amateur
  radio communications for government agencies
  during an emergency.

51
T8B04

• 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

52
T8B04 Answer - B

• The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
  consists of licensed amateurs who have
  voluntarily registered their qualifications and
  equipment for communications duty in the public
  service during an emergency. Unlike RACES,
  however, ARES may support non-governmental
  organizations such as the Red Cross Salvation
  Army, in addition to supporting government
  agencies.

53
T8B05

• 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

54
T8B05 Answer - C

• 97.407(a)
• (a) No station may transmit in RACES unless it
  is an FCC-licensed primary, club, or military
  recreation station and it is certified by a civil
  defense organization as registered with that
  organization, or it is an FCC-licensed RACES
  station. No person may be the control operator of
  a RACES station, or may be the control operator
  of an amateur station transmitting in RACES
  unless that person holds a FCC-issued amateur
  operator license and is certified by a civil
  defense organization as enrolled in that
  organization.

55
T8B06

• 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

56
T8B06 Answer - B

• Since ARES is organized to provide amateur
  radio support, you must have an amateur license
  to join an ARES group.

57
T8B07

• 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

58
T8B07 Answer - D

• Most modern amateur radio gear is capable of
  running on DC power at 12 volts or less, so
  depending on the power requirements, you could
  possibly use any of these as a potential power
  source.

59
T8B08 Answer

• 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

60
T8B08 Answer - B

• 97.403
• No provision of these rules prevents the use by
  an amateur station of any means of
  radiocommunication at its disposal to provide
  essential communication needs in connection with
  the immediate safety of human life and immediate
  protection of property when normal communication
  systems are not available
• 97.405(a),(b)
• (a) No provision of these rules prevents the use
  by an amateur station in distress of any means at
  its disposal to attract attention, make known its
  condition and location, and obtain assistance.
• (b) No provision of these rules prevents the use
  by a station, in the exceptional circumstances
  described in paragraph (a), of any means of
  radiocommunications at its disposal to assist a
  station in distress.

61
T8B09

• 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

62
T8B09 Answer - C

• During a public service event, the amateur is
  there to serve the public by assisting with the
  event. If an operator spends time with idle
  chatter, important information that needs to be
  passed may be missed.

63
T8B10

• 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

64
T8B10 Answer - B

• Amateur radio may not be used for business
  purposes. Allowing a reporter to call in a
  report via amateur radio would be using amateur
  radio for business purposes. (Note, however,
  that if you are passing third party traffic
  during an emergency to get information out to the
  public via the media, that might not be
  considered a business use.)

65
T8B11 Answer

• 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

66
T8B11 Answer - C

• 97.403
• No provision of these rules prevents the use
  by an amateur station of any means of
  radiocommunication at its disposal to provide
  essential communication needs in connection with
  the immediate safety of human life and immediate
  protection of property when normal communication
  systems are not available
• 97.405(a),(b)
• (a) No provision of these rules prevents the use
  by an amateur station in distress of any means at
  its disposal to attract attention, make known its
  condition and location, and obtain assistance.
• (b) No provision of these rules prevents the use
  by a station, in the exceptional circumstances
  described in paragraph (a), of any means of
  radiocommunications at its disposal to assist a
  station in distress.

67
Group T8C

• Group T8C covers net operations, responsibilities
  of the net control station, and message handling.
  It also covers interfacing with public safety
  officials.

68
Nets

• Many hams enjoy participating in nets. Nets
  may be very informal or very formal, depending on
  the purpose. Some are rag-chewing or special
  interest nets, others may focus on emergency
  preparedness, and still others may be organized
  to pass messages of all sorts (traffic). It
  should come as no surprise that the type of
  traffic with the highest priority is emergency
  traffic.

69
Be Careful What You Transmit

• In an emergency, you may pass all kinds of
  traffic such as requests for supplies, a schedule
  for relief operators, or estimates of how long
  the emergency might last. However, for a number
  of reasons you should never transmit personal
  information concerning victims over amateur radio
  frequencies during emergencies!

70
Net Check-In

• When you are part of an emergency net, the net
  control station is the boss. Therefore, to
  minimize disruptions to an emergency traffic net
  once you have checked in, you should not transmit
  on the net frequency until asked to do so by the
  net control station.

71
Passing Emergency Messages

• One of the major functions of participating in
  an emergency net is to pass emergency messages
  between organizations. However, when passing
  emergency messages, you should be sure to include
  the name of the person originating the message.
  This information is very important to emergency
  personnel.

72
Sensitive Emergency Traffic

• Sometimes sensitive emergency traffic has to be
  passed over the air, and very often many people
  besides hams are listening. There are lots of
  scanners out there. Because of this, one way to
  reduce the chances of casual listeners
  overhearing sensitive emergency traffic is to
  pass messages using a non-voice mode such as
  packet radio or Morse code.

73
The Net Control Station (NCS)

• The net control station runs the emergency net,
  and all participants look to the NCS to be on top
  of everything. Therefore, it is most important
  for the net control station to have a strong and
  clear signal.

74
NCS and Emergency Traffic

• If you have been paying attention so far, it
  should not surprise you that if someone breaks in
  with emergency traffic, the net control station
  should stop all net activity until the emergency
  has been handled.

75
Running an Emergency Net

• Every ham should get some experience running a
  net. It may be a little scary at first, but
  running a net is not hard once you get the hang
  of it. And you never can tell when your skills
  as a NCS might be needed, so prepare yourself to
  step in when the need arises.
• If a large scale emergency has just occurred
  and no net control station is available, you
  should open the emergency net immediately and ask
  for check-ins.

76
Traffic Nets

• One of the earliest activities of amateur radio
  was passing messages for others by means of Morse
  code. The the American Radio Relay League
  (ARRL), the most well-know amateur radio
  organization today, was originally formed to
  better organize traffic handling. Even in
  todays age of email and instant messaging, hams
  still pass traffic using formal code and voice
  nets.

77
Formal Messages

• Over the years, a formal message form has been
  developed to insure that messages passed by
  amateur radio are accurately passed from one
  station to another. For example, every formal
  message begins with a preamble. The preamble
  of a message is the information needed to track
  the message as it passes through the amateur
  radio traffic handling system.

78
Message Check Word Count

• The preamble (or header) of a formal message
  contains a check or word count. In reference
  to a message passed by amateur radio, the check
  is a count of the number of words in the message.
  This check is one way for a receiving operator
  to insure that the message was copied correctly.

79
Amateur Messages 25 Words or Less

• Unless there is a very good reason to exceed
  it, the recommended guideline for the maximum
  number of words to be included in the text of an
  emergency message is 25 words. That might not
  seem like a lot, but there are special numbered
  messages that you will learn about if you decide
  to become involved in a traffic net. These
  numbered messages, if used correctly, will convey
  a lot of information with very few words.

80
Check-Up Time!

• Now lets try the questions from this group.
• You should make a note of any that you miss for
  later review.

81
T8C01

• Which type of traffic has the highest priority?
• A. Emergency traffic
• B. Priority traffic
• C. Health and welfare traffic
• D. Routine traffic

82
T8C01 Answer - A

• Emergency traffic ALWAYS takes priority over
  everything else.

83
T8C02

• What type of messages should not be transmitted
  over amateur radio frequencies during
  emergencies?
• A. Requests for supplies
• B. Personal information concerning victims
• C. A schedule of relief operators
• D. Estimates of how much longer the emergency
  will last

84
T8C02 Answer - B

• Bear in mind that there are lots of people
  listening to amateur operators using scanners or
  shortwave radios. For obvious reasons, you do
  not want personal information to go out over the
  air where it can be heard, and possibly be
  misused. No one wants to find out over the
  scanner that Uncle Joe has passed away!

85
T8C03

• What should you do to minimize disruptions to an
  emergency traffic net once you have checked in?
• A. Whenever the net frequency is quiet, announce
  your call sign and location
• B. Move 5 kHz away from the net's frequency and
  use high power to ask other hams to keep clear of
  the net frequency
• C. Do not transmit on the net frequency until
  asked to do so by the net control station
• D. Wait until the net frequency is quiet, then
  ask for any emergency traffic for your area

86
T8C03 Answer - C

• Regardless of the type of net, the net control
  station (NCS) controls the net. Once you have
  checked in, you should always wait to be
  recognized by NCS.

87
T8C04

• What is one thing that must be included when
  passing emergency messages?
• A. The call signs of all the stations passing the
  message
• B. The name of the person originating the message
• C. A status report
• D. The message title

88
T8C04 Answer - B

• By including the name of the person who
  initiated the emergency traffic, the message can
  be traced back to its source.

89
T8C05

• What is one way to reduce the chances of casual
  listeners overhearing sensitive emergency
  traffic?
• A. Pass messages using a non-voice mode such as
  packet radio or Morse code
• B. Speak as rapidly as possible to reduce your
  on-air time
• C. Spell out every word using phonetics
• D. Restrict transmission of messages to the hours
  between midnight and 400 AM

90
T8C05 Answer - A

• Of course, packet and Morse code can be
  received and decoded using software, and Morse
  can be copied by those who have learned the code.
  However, by using these, or other digital modes,
  you will be much more likely to avoid casual
  listeners than if you use voice.

91
T8C06

• What is of primary importance for a net control
  station?
• A. A dual-band transceiver
• B. A network card
• C. A strong and clear signal
• D. The ability to speak several languages

92
T8C06 Answer - C

• Of the choices given, the most important thing
  the NCS needs is the ability to be heard by all
  who wish to check into the net.

93
T8C07

• What should the net control station do if
  someone breaks in with emergency traffic?
• A. Ask them to wait until the roll has been
  called
• B. Stop all net activity until the emergency has
  been handled
• C. Ask the station to call the local police and
  then resume normal net activities
• D. Ask them to move off your net frequency
  immediately

94
T8C07 Answer - B

• Remember, emergency traffic ALWAYS has priority
  over all other communications!

95
T8C08

• What should you do if a large scale emergency
  has just occurred and no net control station is
  available?
• A. Wait until the assigned net control station
  comes on the air and pass your traffic when
  called
• B. Transmit a call for help and hope someone will
  hear you
• C. Open the emergency net immediately and ask for
  check-ins
• D. Listen to the local NOAA weather broadcast to
  find out how long the emergency will last

96
T8C08 Answer - C

• New hams are often intimidated by the thought
  of being a net control station, but as soon as
  you get your Technician license, you should learn
  how to do it. It isn't all that hard, and you'll
  be ready to step up to the plate whenever the
  need arises.

97
T8C09

• What is the preamble of a message?
• A. The first paragraph of the message text
• B. The message number
• C. The priority handling indicator for the
  message
• D. The information needed to track the message as
  it passes through the amateur radio traffic
  handling system

98
T8C09 Answer - D

• Traffic nets handle formal messages via radio.
  Each message has a specific format, beginning
  with the preamble. The preamble contains
  important information needed by each operator to
  accurately track and pass the message.

99
T8C10

• What is meant by the term "check" in reference
  to a message?
• A. The check is a count of the number of words in
  the message
• B. The check is the value of a money order
  attached to the message
• C. The check is a list of stations that have
  relayed the message
• D. The check is a box on the message form that
  tells you the message was received

100
T8C10 Answer - A

• The "check" is a count of the number of words
  in a message. This allows a receiving operator
  to quickly verify that there are no missing words
  that could change the meaning of the message.

101
T8C11

• What is the recommended guideline for the
  maximum number of words to be included in the
  text of an emergency message?
• A. 10 words
• B. 25 words
• C. 50 words
• D. 75 words

102
T8C11 Answer - B

• Just like the old writing contests, you should
  say it in 25 words or less. However, there are a
  number of "shortcut" messages that will allow you
  to convey a lot of information in 25 words or
  less!

103
Eight Down, Two to Go!Youre Almost Done!

• This concludes Study Guide 3.
• Once you are satisfied that you can answer 80 of
  the questions in this Sub-element, you are ready
  to move on to Study Guide 4.