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1. How was RACES created?

RACES was established by a US Congressional Act in 1952 to provide emergency communications only as allowed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Rules and Regulations Part 97.407.

2. What does RACES do?

RACES only allows emergency communications when impending or actual conditions are jeopardizing public health and safety, affecting national defense or security, when there is an immediate threat to life and/or property, for specific training and for other well-defined reasons.

3. What is ARES and what does it do?

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsored organization. ARES is not as constrained by its activation requirements. It normally takes over if communications are still required when the RACES guidelines are no longer met. It can be activated for any request requiring communications support.

4. What do you mean by communications and net?

In this case, a communications net is a group of amateur radio operators talking on their radios on a specific amateur radio frequency (in Irving, it is 146.72 Mhz) under control of a single radio operator, called a net control.

5. Who can become an Amateur Radio Operator?

In the USA, anyone not a representative of a foreign government can be an Amateur Radio operator. You do not have to be a citizen to obtain a license. You must pass a test to get a license, however.