What is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is D: All these choices are correct. RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) is defined in FCC Part 97.407 and encompasses all three aspects described in the options. RACES is a radio service that uses amateur frequencies and amateur stations for emergency management or civil defense communications, and it involves amateur operators who are certified by and enrolled with a civil defense organization.

RACES is a structured emergency communications service that operates under specific rules during declared emergencies. To participate in RACES, an amateur operator must be certified by a civil defense organization (like a local emergency management agency) and enrolled in that organization's RACES program. During a declared emergency, RACES stations can operate under special rules that allow them to communicate with non-amateur stations if authorized. This makes RACES a bridge between the amateur radio community and official emergency management agencies.