Share frequencies politely, space signals correctly, follow band plans, respond to distress, and know the RACES rules.
Syllabus: Operating effectively; band plans; drills and emergencies; RACES operation
Compendium articles on the ideas in this lesson, beyond what the exam asks.
Practise the 11 pool questions for this group. Answers are shuffled, and every one comes with a one-line "why".
Except in emergencies, no station has priority on a frequency. Not nets, not QSOs in progress, not contests. So before calling CQ, ask: "QRL?" plus your call on CW, or "is the frequency in use?" plus your call on phone.
RememberNo priority. Ask "QRL?", and settle interference by agreement.
A CW signal is very narrow, so 150 to 500 Hz apart is enough. SSB is about 3 kHz wide, so allow 2 to 3 kHz.
RememberCW: 150 to 500 Hz. SSB: 2 to 3 kHz.
A band plan is not an FCC rule. Following it is good amateur practice. Example: on 6 m, 50.100 to 50.125 MHz is for contacts with stations outside the 48 contiguous states.
RememberBand plan = voluntary, but follow it. 50.1 to 50.125: DX only.
Your contact can wait. Acknowledge the station in distress and find out what assistance is needed. In your own nets, plan ahead with a backup frequency.
RememberHear distress: acknowledge, then ask what is needed.
RACES is the emergency service for disaster relief. Its control operator must hold an FCC-issued amateur operator license. Routine training drills and tests are limited to 1 hour per week.
RememberRACES: amateur license, 1 hour a week of routine drills.