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Proposal: Amateur Radio

One part of an Amateur Radio Operator's (for want of a better word) charge is this -

In the event of a failure of regular communications he may provide necessary communications support. This is known as variously across regimes. A couple of terms for this are as follows

Should RACES protocol, notification of emergency bands, and relay communication from an emergency band to other media be on-topic here?

2 Answers 2

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Absolutely. Emergency Communications is an essential part of Amateur Radio, and in fact, both RACES and ARES are mentioned in the USA FCC Technician level tests for Amateur Radio.

And while we're on the subject, there's MARS and CAP (For the United States, I'm sure other countries have their equivalents). While both of these use amateur radio operators typically, they operate outside of the Amateur Bands. I think we should allow such questions, but not encourage them, much like the previous discussion for CB radio.

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Definitely. It is important, though, the realize that Amateur Radio as 'communication service' is only one aspect of the hobby. I have seen many a discussion forum become swamped with the '4th emergency service' type of discussion to the exclusion of all else.

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  • @PearsonArtPhoto Ham Radio is a world-wide hobby. Let's not edit British spelling of words.
    – dcaswell
    Oct 12, 2013 at 17:05
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    @dcaswell: Didn't realize that was a Britishism, will add it to my British list of words to ignore. Oct 12, 2013 at 19:09
  • Didn't spot the edit until it was mentioned. @dcaswell is correct though, I am Irish, and hence speak British English (although that itself may form a bone of contention). No offence taken though. I am not petty about these things.
    – gerryk
    Oct 14, 2013 at 10:05

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