<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><meta charset=utf-8><meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" name=viewport><title>Introduction to Emergency Communications - SCCo ARES/RACES</title><link href=/-68DF08D8-/styles.css rel=stylesheet></link><script src=/-6807DB09-/script.js></script><script>if ('serviceWorker' in navigator) navigator.serviceWorker.register('/offline.js', {scope: '/'})</script></head><body><div id=•menuHover></div><menu id=•menu style=display:none><li id=•menuCloseLi><a id=•menuClose class=•menuIcon aria-label="Close Menu" href=#><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#menu></use></svg></div></a><li id=•navUpLi><a id=•navUp class=•menuIcon aria-label="Parent Page: Introductory Classes" href=/training/intro><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#chevron-up></use></svg></div></a><li id=•navRightLi><a id=•navRight class=•menuIcon aria-label="Next Page: Fundamentals of Emergency Communications" href=/training/intro/fundamentals><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#chevron-right></use></svg></div></a><li class=•tile><a href="/"><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#home></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Home Page</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/activities/events.php><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#calendar></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Calendar &amp; Signups</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/training><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#presenter></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Training &amp; Practice</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/operations><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#radio></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Operations</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/credentials><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#award></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Credentials</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/about><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#info></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>About SCCo ARES/RACES</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/services><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#checklist></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Services We Provide</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/reference><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#books></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Reference Information</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/sitemap><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#sitemap></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Site Map</div></div></a></menu><div id=•offlineWarn>No connection to server.  Showing local offline copy of page.</div><header id=•banner><a id=•menuOpen aria-label="Open Menu" href=#><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#menu></use></svg></div></a><div class=•bannerStripe></div><div id=•bannerMiddle><img id=•bannerLogo alt="Santa Clara County Seal" src=/-67DB4F6F-/county-seal.svg><div id=•bannerTitle>Santa Clara County
ARES<span id=•bannerRTM>®</span>/RACES</div></div><div class=•bannerStripe></div><a aria-label=Search href=/index><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#search></use></svg></div></a></header><nav id=•breadcrumb aria-label=Breadcrumb><ol><li><a href=/training>Training &amp; Practice</a><li><a href=/training/intro>Introductory Classes</a></ol></nav><main id=•page><h1>Introduction to Emergency Communications</h1><div class="•columns •twocolX •twocolL"><div class=•column><h2 id=course-description>Course Description</h2><p class=•pad>
    This is an introductory training course for new hams who may be interested in Emergency Communications.
    It is the first in a series of courses offered to prepare for participation in Emergency Communications in Santa Clara County.
  <dl class="•strong •pad"><dt>Intended Audience
    <dd class=•indent>New hams who may be interested in Emergency Communications
    <dt class=•pad>Prerequisites
    <dd class=•indent>Valid Technician class or higher Amateur Radio license
    <dt class=•pad>Format
    <dd class=•indent>In person, 3½ hours
    <dt class=•pad>Students should bring
    <dd class=•indent><ul><li>Copy of course materials (see below)
        <li>Pen/pencil and pad of paper
        <li>
          2m/70cm dual-band HT radio (if you have one) with instruction manual.<br>
          (If you don’t have one, you will be loaned one for the exercise.)
      </ul><dt class=•pad>Learning Objectives
    <dd class=•indent><ul><li>Explain VHF/UHF FM technology used in EmComm
        <li>Use band plans, frequency lists, repeater directories
        <li>Configure their radio for simplex and duplex operations
        <li>Participated in a directed net
        <li>Make direct contacts
        <li>Describe the use of packet mode in EmComm
        <li>Select and EmComm radio and accessories
        <li>Understand local EmComm organizations
        <li>Understand what to do next, after this class
        <li>Make real on-the-air contacts with a Net Control operator
      </ul><dt class=•pad>Topics Covered
    <dd class=•indent><ul><li>VHF/UHF simplex and duplex (repeaters: tone, offset)
        <li>Voice operating techniques (with directed net exercises)
        <li>Additional EmComm modes (Packet, APRS, HF)
        <li>Radios and accessories for EmComm
        <li>EmComm organizations (county; SPECS/SVECS, cities)
        <li>On-air exercise
      </ul></dl></div><div class="•column •headPadS •headPadM"><h2 id=class-dates-and-registration>Class Dates and Registration</h2><nav class="•tiles •pad"><div class=•tile><a href="/login?r=/activities/eventdetail.php%3Fid=1522"><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle><div>October 15 at 18:00</div></div><div class=•sr>, </div><div class=•tileDesc><div>Sunnyvale Public Safety HQ</div></div></div><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#chevron-right></use></svg></div></a></div></nav><p class=•pad>This class is normally scheduled three times a year, in February, June, and October.
  
  <h2 id=course-materials class=•headPad>Course Materials</h2><p class=•pad>Class materials will be updated about a week before class and those signed up will be notified via email.
  <p class=•pad>
    <strong>Bring the following on paper or in electronic form:</strong>
    <br>
    <small>
      See
      <a href=../multi-page>instructions</a>
      for printing multiple pages per sheet if desired.
    </small>
  <nav class="•tiles •pad"><div class=•tile><a href=introduction/Intro_to_EmComm_v20251001.pdf target=_blank><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle><div>Classroom Presentation Slides</div></div><div class=•sr>, </div><div class=•tileDesc><div>rev. 2025-10-01</div></div></div><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#pdf></use></svg></div></a></div></nav><p class=•pad><strong>Reference materials (not needed in class):</strong>
  <nav class="•tiles •pad"><div class=•tile><a href=https://www.arrl.org/graphical-frequency-allocations target=_blank><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle><div>U.S. Amateur Radio Frequency Bands</div></div><div class=•sr>, </div><div class=•tileDesc><div>Frequency Band Chart</div></div></div><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#external-link></use></svg></div></a></div><div class=•tile><a href=http://www.arrl.org/buying-your-first-radio target=_blank><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle><div>Buying Your First Radio</div></div><div class=•sr>, </div><div class=•tileDesc><div>ARRL Article</div></div></div><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#external-link></use></svg></div></a></div><div class=•tile><a href=introduction/-67B1327C-/DA-18-980A1.pdf target=_blank><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle><div>Use of Non-FCC-Approved Radios</div></div><div class=•sr>, </div><div class=•tileDesc><div>FCC Enforcement Advisory</div></div></div><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#pdf></use></svg></div></a></div><div class=•tile><a href=/reference/glossary><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle><div>Glossary of Terms</div></div></div><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#chevron-right></use></svg></div></a></div></nav></div></div></main><footer><div>Last modified 2025-10-05</div><div id=•offlineAvail>This page is available when offline.</div><div>Send feedback to <span class=•obf>wfdpexzlzI}no:o"u%?&amp;ux{+F)-#</span></div></footer></body></html>