T2D: Emergency Communications

The proper distress call to use when operating CW is "SOS", when operating phone say "MAYDAY" several times, and to interrupt a repeater conversation to signal a distress call say "BREAK" twice, then your call sign.

Messages concerning a person's well-being sent into or out of a disaster area are called "Health and Welfare traffic". Messages concerning the immediate safety of human life that are sent into or out of a disaster area are called "Emergency traffic".

One reason for using tactical call signs such as "command post" or "weather center" during an emergency is that they are more efficient and help coordinate public-service communications.

It a good idea to have a way to operate your amateur station without using commercial AC power lines so you may provide communications in an emergency. The most important accessory to have for a hand-held radio in an emergency is several sets of charged batteries. A dipole antenna would be a good choice as part of a portable HF amateur station because it could be set up easily in case of an emergency.


You must identify messages sent during a RACES drill as drill or test messages. The maximum number of hours allowed per week for RACES drills is one (1) hour.