Radio Amateur’s Civil Emergency Service in Kalamazoo County R.A.C.E.S. – AUXCOM by Art Snapper NK8X March, 2016

Mission: R.A.C.E.S. is a program originally created by Civil Defense – Now under FEMA/Homeland Security, and the FCC. It is recognized and supported locally by the State of Michigan. Our volunteers provide communication services during disasters. Disaster relief agencies have signed memorandums of understanding with our national Amateur Radio organization. (ARRL) Major organizations include: American Red Cross FEMA Salvation ARMY….. And many others…

Amateur Radio Operators (HAMS) Amateur Radio operators are required to pass FCC tests to prove competency in radio theory and operation. Amateur Radio volunteers join R.A.C.E.S., to provide disaster relief communications. Members receive further training, including FEMA I.S. 100, 200, 700, and 800. Background checks follow, and credentials are issued by the State of Michigan through the local EM or Sheriff. Because the credentials come from the state, members can be requested by any Emergency Management Agency for mutual aid. There are 35 R.A.C.E.S. members in Kalamazoo County.

Operations and Training: Portable-operations are conducted weekly in the summer. Hospital nets are conducted on the first Wednesday of the month. Local nets are conducted weekly, year-round. There is a meeting here at 7pm on the second Wednesday of the month. Members are trained to handle formal messages, including the radiogram, and various FEMA forms. (ICS-205). Field Day is an annual exercise to test communications over long distances using equipment that isn’t dependent on infrastructure. The Simulated Emergency Test (SET) occurs every fall, and tests communication between groups within the State of Michigan. The SKYWARN program in Kalamazoo is coordinated by R.A.C.E.S. R.A.C.E.S. members have their own portable stations which can be deployed to shelters or other locations as needed during a disaster.

Field Day Flesher Field 2015

Modes of communication: Communication modes are matched to the type of disaster. In Michigan they include the following: Voice: Single Sideband, FM, Digital (D-Star, Fusion, etc.) Data: HSMM (wifi on steroids), HF data (Olivia, RTTY, MT-63, Winlink), VHF/UHF data,(jnos, aprs), and Morse Code. There are approximately 50 low earth orbiting amateur radio satellites, and at least one geostationary unit available if needed.

Message Forms:

EQUIPMENT: These are modern High Frequency, Amateur Radio transceivers. They are capable of communication over long distances. We can also use them to communicate with the military, and federal government when deemed necessary. (S.H.A.R.E.S, etc.)

Mobile Radios: Mobile Radios are capable of 25 mile communications without infrastructure. Up to 100 miles with standalone repeaters, and worldwide with networked repeaters.

Portable Radios: Portable “handheld” radios have 1-2 mile range outdoors. When used with a repeater, they have much more range. With linked or networked repeaters, worldwide coverage is possible. An amateur radio license gives us permission to program our own radios. Ham radio equipment is the same throughout the world. This is a big plus for our interoperability.

Assets: R.A.C.E.S. Mobile Command Post

Assets: Avcom

Assets: Mini Command Post

R.A.C.E.S. members you may know from the Disaster Committee: Dave Schneider AB8DS Ed Halcomb KD8WAV Mike Corfman KE8DBW Charles Pfister WD8AXB

Facilities: R.A.C.E.S. has a fully equipped station in the EOC. There is a supplemental station (KARC) at the American Red Cross Chapter House… We are in the State EOC- plus in other county EOC’s Activation is through the local EM/OEM. Further information can be found at our website: We are also on Texcom.