Santa Clara County ARES/RACES Operations

Activation Info

General Activation Information
- AlertSCC System Information for Hams
- Activation Level Definitions (PDF)(Updated 7/25/2022)
For city Radio Officer (RO) and Deputy ROs:
- Santa Clara County RACES/ACS Mutual Aid Request Form
  - Fillable PDF
  - MS-Word
  - Packet version is part of the integrated packet installer

Forms
- Go Kit Forms
- Other Forms Used In Communications (includes other ICS forms)
- Modified Mercalli Earthquake Reporting Scale
- Modified Mercalli Earthquake Reporting Summary Form (PDF)
- Resource Net Travel Tracking Form (PDF) (also MS-Word version)
Signs
- Radio Communications Signs

Go Kit Checklists: MS-Word Version or PDF Version (Updated 23-Feb-2023)
- You can use the MS-Word version to print on legal sized paper for a single sheet.
Considerations and Recommendations for constructing stations
- The "Hidden Node" Problem
  - Antenna and radio issues to consider when operating simplex
- City/Agency Emergency Operations Center Equipment
- Hospital Command Center Equipment
- Allied Health Amateur Radio Equipment
Station Components

General
- Performance Standards and Best Practices (PDF 1.0 MB) [v2.2, Revised 27-April-2022]
- Phonetic Alphabet - by Scott Morse, KC6SKM, Jan. 2013
Message Passing
- SCCo ARES/RACES Message Handling Procedures [Revised 11-July-2022]
  - Revised Page 32 [02/23/2023]
  - Includes ARRL NTS procedures, plus changes and additions to handle 3rd party traffic
- ARRL NTS Chapter 1 - The ARRL Message Format (PDF - 97 KB)
  - Includes details on the ARRL Radiogram message format
  - This format is not specifically used in Santa Clara County ARES/RACES, but may be encountered when working with other amateur radio groups, particularly NTS. Therefore, general familiarity is recommended.
- ARRL NTS Chapter 2 - Sending Messages on Voice (PDF - 187 KB)
  - Includes details on how to verbalize various message components such as figures, initials, mixed groups, addresses, telephone numbers, call signs, etc.
EOC/DOC Operations
- City/Agency Emergency Operations Center Nets
Mobile Operation
- Mobile Operations Safety (PDF - 211 KB)
  - California Vehicle Code 23123.5 ("Distracted Driving")
  - CHP enforcement memo
  - Press release from law's author stating intent of the law
Net Control
- Resource Net Dispatch Template (Rev 08-Jul-2010) (PDF 45 KB)
- Resource Net Standard Operating Procedures and Scripts - Rev 27-Dec-2012 (PDF 372kb)
- Principles of Net Control - by Jerry Haag, KF6GAC, EC Mtn. View
Self Paced Video Training (ICS-214 and ICS-309)

Shadow
- Shadow First 5 Minutes Checklist (PDF - 53 KB)
Staffing
- Procedure for Utilization of Sponaneous Ham Volunteers During Disasters (PDF) - by Scott Morse, KC6SKM, 12/6/12
- Amateur Radio Staffing and Policies for Red Cross or other NGOs (PDF) - by Scott Morse, KC6SKM, Nov. 2012
Homeland Security Field Operations Guides (FOGs)
- Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG)
- National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG)