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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-races-meaning

What is RACES?

An FCC Part 97 service for civil defense communications during emergencies.

  1. A short radio contest, also called a sprint
  2. A mix of ham and CB emergency operators
  3. An FCC amateur service for civil defense emergency communications ✔

Why: RACES is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. Hams work with civil defense agencies, and the operators must be certified by a civil defense organization.

Huh, didn't know that: ARES, a different group, is made up of volunteer hams who register for public service.

The dad joke
Why did the new ham bring running shoes to RACES? He thought it was a contest.
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Sources

  1. NCVEC 2026-2030 Technician Question Pool (Element 2), errata Feb 19, 2026 https://www.ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf

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