1. RACES in Texas
13 April 2009
Ian Feldman

2. About RACES RACES is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
Defined by FCC Part 97, Subpart E, Section
Establishes radio networks to be operated by amateur radio operators in the event of an emergency
Control over RACES is given to the states

3. Texas RACES
Texas RACES is governed through the Department of Public Safety
The State RACES Radio Officer oversees operation of RACES

4. In an Emergency A Net Control Station will be designated
The State’s station uses the call sign WC5AAH, but this function can be delegated to another station
Specific frequencies have been set aside by the FCC for use by RACES

5. Local RACES Local jurisdictions may also appoint RACES Radio Officers
Local organizations report to the State RACES Liaison Officer
Local organizations assist the state as needed

6. RACES Application
An application for Texas RACES is available on the DPS Website
Texas requires the following of its RACES operators:
A General or Extra Class license
No record of FCC License Suspension or disciplinary action in any other amateur radio emergency organization
No felony convictions

7. RACES Training
RACES training is held the second and fourth Sunday of each month
The Net Control Station rotates between different regions
The region that includes Harris County is the primary NCS on the 4th Sunday in February, and the alternate NCS on the 4th Sunday in June

8. RACES Operation
Messages are given to radio operators, who relay them via the net
Messages consist of a number (assigned sequentially), the date, the originating station and its location, and the body of the message
The message is broken every few words to allow the receiving station to copy it down

9. RACES Operation
The receiving station confirms receipt of the message (repeating the message number) if it was received correctly
If not, the receiving station requests “fills” until the message is complete
After all traffic has been received, the sending station announces “Traffic Completed, Out”

10. Example of Operation This is K5AAA (pause) Message Number Four (pause)
January eight slant one three five five (pause)
K5XXX, Dallas, Texas (pause)
To Regional Liason Officer, Region One (pause)
Dallas, Texas (pause)

11. Example of Operation Communications into flooded area (pause)
have failed (pause)
District Radio Officer (pause)
David Jones (pause)
being contracted (pause)
to provide RACES support (pause)

12. Example of Operation Authority Donald Banks (pause)
Coordinator Kaufman County (pause)
Over
Receiving station replies:
This is K5XYZ Roger Message Number Four, Over

13. References
Texas Department of Public Safety. (2007). Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service Plan and SOPs (DEM-103). Austin, TX: State of Texas.
State RACES Application. Retrieved April 12, 2009, from Texas Department of Public Safety Web site: ftp://ftp.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/radio/races_application.pdf
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. Retrieved April 12, 2009, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Web site: