Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
The IDHS Amateur Radio Disaster Communications ("Ham") Team supports auxiliary communications through the RACES program using amateur radio frequencies and any other means necessary. The Team also supports all other amateur emergency communications programs in the state of Indiana.
Purpose of the Monthly NET
The directed NET conducted on the second Sunday of the month at 2200 UTC exercises the communications between the county’s EMA and the state EOC over amateur radio frequencies. The designated radio operators are encouraged to use any or all of the posted frequencies to test equipment and propagation. Relaying for other counties is encouraged for this net.
Frequencies will be used as a calling frequency in the event of a statewide emergency. Current Frequency: 3.920 MHz.
Who may check in to the Monthly Net
Any amateur station appropriately licensed and designated by the county’s EMA Director may check in representing that county. Normally a single station represents each county, and often this station is the ARES EC or the RACES Officer of that county, as authorized by the county’s EMA director. Once all counties have been called, NET Control may invite other amateur stations to check in.
Current RACES Frequencies in Use
3.920 Mhz - LSB
7.290 Mhz - LSB
146.490 Mhz - FM - Simplex
W9WIN system (see www.w9win.org for local frequencies)
Echolink 99735
IRLP 9735
Packet: w9sem@n9rod.#cin.in.usa.noam
WinLink: w9sem-8@winlink.org
Indiana State HF Test
Purpose of the State HF Test
The directed test conducted twice a year exercises the communications between the County EMAs and the state EOC over amateur radio frequencies. The designated radio operators are encouraged to use any or all of the announced frequencies and modes to test equipment and propagation. Counties checking in are encouraged to relay for other counties to assist and ensure participation in the state test. The use of HF voice and digital modes are highly encouraged.
Who may check in to the State HF Test
Any amateur station appropriately licensed by the FCC and designated by the county’s EMA director may check in representing that county. A single station represents each county on a given frequency and mode. The EMA director may designate any station to check in to any or all test frequencies and modes as he or she chooses. As part of the Test, counties are encouraged to conduct their own local Nets and to report the count of their check-ins as traffic for this Test. However, individual stations are NOT invited to check in for this test without prior authorization from the EMA director.
Contact Indiana State RACES: Greg Oberc
Indiana RACES Standards and Protocols
- 2008 Standards & Protocols (view)
RACES & ARES Training Materials
- RACES Training - The zip file below contains five Power Point Presentations modified by David Love, W9XTZ of Greene County and based on work done by Virginia RACES Incorporated. Modifications require written permission of the Communications Director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and David Love. David Love is a member of the IDHS RACES Team, Navy MARS, and Green County EMA and has untold years of amateur radio experience.
This document is geared toward emergency communications involving RACES Teams or IDHS District RACES Councils. Comments should be sent to RACES@dhs.in.gov.
RACES Basic Zip File - You must save this file to your computer in order to view the Power Point Presentations. (view)
--or--if you wish, the individual Power Point Presentations are here (view1) (view2)
(view3) (view4) (view5)
- ARES Training
The zip file below contains six Power Point Presentations modified by Tony Langer, W9AL of Starke County and is based on work done by Virginia RACES Incorporated. Modifications require written permission of Tony Langer. Tony is the Indiana ARES Emergency Coordinator. He is also a member of the IDHS RACES Team, the Starke County RACES/ARES Team, President of the Starke County ARC and has been licensed since 1998.
This document is geared toward emergency communications involving ARES or ARES/RACES Teams at the county level. Comments should be sent to Tony Langer at w9al@arrl.net.
ARRL Approved ARES-RACES Training Zip File - You must save this file to your computer in order to view the Power Point Presentations. (view)
--or--if you wish, the individual Power Point Presentations are here (view1) (view2
(view3) (view4) (view5) (view6)
- IDHS RACES and Indiana ARES have made a concerted effort to coordinate our recommended procedures wherever possible. When in a disaster, we all need to be able to work together.
VOLUNTEERS
Interested in volunteering? -- Please contact your county’s Emergency Management Director.
If you are interested in supporting the IDHS State RACES Team, please contact Indiana State RACES Officer: Greg Oberc
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