Emergency Communications

Mason County ARES/RACES Basic Emergency Communications Operating Procedures

[A] If you or others need assistance from any location in Mason County after a man-made or natural disaster event, use the following repeaters:

Shelton VHF: 146.720- (103.5) South Mountain VHF: 145.270- (127.3)
Shelton UHF: 443.250+ (100) South Mountain UHF: 441.925+ (100 )
Belfair Area VHF: 145.170- (103.5) Belfair 220 Repeater: 224.260- (103.5)
    • If the repeater is not functioning, then use the REPEATER OUTPUT frequency on SIMPLEX mode and ask for help. (Don’t forget to use the PL tones etc.)
    • If no contact, use the MC-ARES/RACES Frequency List on the back of this page.
    • On ANY net, you may be directed to another frequency to pass your traffic.
    • Due to your location, you may need to get another station to relay your message.

[B] Next, follow this outline PRIOR to transmitting on any radio!

    • First and foremost, you do not have to be a member of any organization, club or Unit to ask for help over local repeaters or nets. You just need to be a licensed Amateur ‘Ham” Radio Operator.
    • Check your immediate area for any safety hazards prior to transmitting.
    • Insure you are on the correct frequency, shift and/or tone access.
    • Stay calm. Know what you need to say before transmitting.
    • Listen to the frequency and don’t interrupt higher precedence emergency traffic.
    • Conserve power. Use lowest power setting to get the job done.
    • Keep transmissions short. Talk clearly so others can copy it the first time.
    • Have writing materials on hand to make a copy of messages sent, received, etc.
    • Print so others can easily read your hand writing!
    • Be prepared to be the Net Control Station at any time if your services are needed.

[C] In case you cannot hit any local repeaters, try the Capital Peak Repeater, K7CPR, on 145.470- 100PL. This repeater will be used as a wide area District 3 Command Net for ARES/RACES so expect some delays in your messages or requests for assistance.

[D] If you are concerned about other hams, and families, do not tie up the repeaters with casual contacts ‘asking this or that’. Contact the NCS and follow their instructions about contacting others for welfare information.

[E] Last, DO NOT PASS UNCONFIRMED INFORMATION! (i.e. rumors, comments, etc.) If reporting station passing the information did not actually see the event or problem, then it is “Unconfirmed” data to pass onto local authorities. The last thing we need on the air is to create more uncertainty in the local amateur radio community.

[F] Do not tie up the frequencies asking about road conditions, etc. Tune into your local EMERGENCY ALERT STATION KMAS 1030AM, 103.3FM for local information.

Downloads

  • MCARC-ARES Emergency Communications Operation Procedures in PDF format.
  • MCARC EmComm Map and Frequencies in PDF format.