Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (R.A.C.E.S.)

 The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) serves as the lead agency and government point-of-contact for auxiliary communication resources. Their El Paso EOC phone is 838-3219.
Their e-mail address is ELPRACES@elpasotexas.gov

 Information on this web posting is provided for expedient volunteers (“walk-ins”) without previous contact as well as monitors. If you are a licensed Amateur operator, apply to be considered for a RACES position. If you have a VHF/UHF radio receiver, monitor our frequencies during activations for public information. New trainees should be trained prior to events—contact the District Officer as above.

Radio operation remains secondary to safety.  At all times, protection of your own life, family and property comes first. Then, widen your influence to neighbors who might need stabilization and assistance. 

Auxiliary communication resources will be utilized only during communication emergencies - that is, when such activity could actually enhance official response/recovery efforts. The Net Control Station is responsible for the Net.

Know Your Area - the concept-of-operations calls for operators widely distributed throughout the County; your station will probably represent your ZIP code. Some operators may have other pre-assigned duties. Do not “drive around to see if you can help”. The communication system needs to know the location of stations, their status and availability.

Wilderness Protocol will be observed after events if active Nets are not in operation. Monitor the noted frequencies (on the hour or according to the QST cycle) beginning at 0700 local time and every 3 hours after that.

LiTZ(Long Tone Zero) can be used to attract attention for urgent traffic during active radio Nets. Transmit Zero from a DTMF keypad for 3+ seconds. 

QSTs will generally begin at :00, :15, :30, or :45 minutes.

Be careful not to spread rumors; circulate only official or verifiable information. All traffic is logged and becomes public record.

Frequencies and their related planning concepts should be used to contact official response and recovery programs and resources. Please use these radio resources and do not otherwise overload “traditional” contact or privately-developed supplemental pathways.

Utilize the frequency below until re-assigned by Net Control. Simplex is primary—use RACES repeaters ONLY if absolutely required. Not all frequencies will be actively monitored at all times. Please keep all frequencies clear for official traffic.  

function                                                                         mHz

National calling [In-transit]                                               146.52             simplex

The West side of the Franklins will have the poorest signal coverage.

“Walk-in” licensees may be assigned to RACES repeaters or frequencies and coordinated through function-specific RACES officers and nets.

Citizens’ Band operation will be monitored on Channels 19 and 9 if possible. This resource focuses on transportation-related issues. Relatively limited range.