ARRL Emergency Communications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary role of an Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) operator during a disaster?
- To operate commercial radio stations
- To provide auxiliary communications support to served agencies (Correct answer)
- To replace professional first responders
- To broadcast emergency alerts on AM radio
Correct answer: To provide auxiliary communications support to served agencies
ARES operators provide supplemental communications support to agencies like emergency management and the Red Cross when normal systems fail.
Question 2: Which ITU phonetic alphabet word represents the letter 'M'?
- Mexico
- Mother
- Mike (Correct answer)
- Manila
Correct answer: Mike
In the NATO/ITU phonetic alphabet used by amateur radio operators, 'Mike' represents the letter M.
Question 3: What does 'served agency' mean in the context of ARES?
- An agency that funds amateur radio repeaters
- A government agency that licenses amateur radio operators
- An organization that ARES provides communications support to (Correct answer)
- A company that sells emergency radio equipment
Correct answer: An organization that ARES provides communications support to
A served agency is any organization — such as a hospital, Red Cross chapter, or emergency management office — that ARES provides communications assistance to.
Question 4: What is the recommended way to end a transmission when using simplex during an emergency net?
- Say 'goodbye' and unkey immediately
- Say your call sign followed by 'out' when you are done communicating (Correct answer)
- Press the PTT twice to signal completion
- Say 'over and out' simultaneously
Correct answer: Say your call sign followed by 'out' when you are done communicating
Saying your call sign followed by 'out' properly identifies you and signals you have finished and are closing the exchange.
Question 5: In emergency communications, what does the term 'liaison' station mean?
- A station that monitors weather frequencies
- A station that passes traffic between two different nets or groups (Correct answer)
- A station that handles all administrative check-ins
- A station that relays messages from satellites
Correct answer: A station that passes traffic between two different nets or groups
A liaison station bridges two different nets, passing messages between them to maintain communication flow across multiple groups.
Question 6: What frequency range is most commonly used by ARES groups for local emergency coordination in the United States?
- 160 meters (1.8–2.0 MHz)
- 2 meters (144–148 MHz) and 70 centimeters (420–450 MHz) (Correct answer)
- 10 meters (28–29.7 MHz)
- 80 meters (3.5–4.0 MHz)
Correct answer: 2 meters (144–148 MHz) and 70 centimeters (420–450 MHz)
VHF (2-meter) and UHF (70-centimeter) bands are most commonly used for local ARES emergency coordination due to wide repeater coverage.
Question 7: What is 'go-kit' in amateur radio emergency preparedness?
- A software package for digital emergency modes
- A portable, self-contained equipment kit ready for rapid deployment (Correct answer)
- A training manual for new ARES volunteers
- A checklist for registering with emergency management
Correct answer: A portable, self-contained equipment kit ready for rapid deployment
A go-kit is a pre-packed, portable radio station that allows an operator to deploy quickly and operate independently from any location.
ARRL Emergency Communications 2
What is the primary role of an Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) operator during a disaster?