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Amateur Radio Emergency Communication

Amateur radio operators have at their disposal some sizable chunks of radio spectrum in which to pursue their hobby. The reason they are allowed the use of this bandwidth is that ham radio is, first and foremost, an emergency communications service.

RACES
- The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service is a self-sustaining communications service that was created by the FCC and Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist governmental emergency services during times of disaster. RACES members are the only ham operators who are authorized to transmit during declared emergencies under the War Powers Act.
ARES
- Amateur Radio Emergency Service was created by the American Radio Relay League. Its members set up local and long-distance communications nets to assist relief efforts during and in the aftermath of emergencies and natural disasters.
Skywarn
- Skywarn is a national communications service that provides trained spotters and communicators to assist the National Weather Service in its efforts to alert citizens to approaching dangerous weather conditions.

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