Quick reference

On-air cheat sheet

Pull this up before you key the mic.

Zulu time (UTC)

--:--:--Z

Phonetic alphabet

A AlphaB BravoC CharlieD DeltaE EchoF FoxtrotG GolfH HotelI IndiaJ JuliettK KiloL LimaM MikeN NovemberO OscarP PapaQ QuebecR RomeoS SierraT TangoU UniformV VictorW WhiskeyX X-rayY YankeeZ Zulu

Numbers as digits. Common: tree (3), fife (5), niner (9).

Prowords

OVERDone — reply expected

OUTDone — no reply expected

ROGERReceived your last transmission

WILCOReceived and will comply

SAY AGAINRepeat your transmission

I SAY AGAINI am repeating

AFFIRMATIVE / NEGATIVEYes / No

STANDBY / WAITPause, stand by

CORRECTIONError — correct version follows

BREAKSeparates message parts / urgent

HOW COPYDid you receive, and how well?

Emergency signals

MAYDAYDistress — grave & imminent danger (highest)

PAN-PANUrgency — safety concern, no immediate grave danger

SECURITESafety — navigational / weather / safety message

Precedence (high → low)

FLASHPassed first

IMMEDIATE

PRIORITY

ROUTINEPassed last

Confirm exact designators with your served agency or net.

Net types & DTG

Directed netNCS controls all traffic; ask before you transmit.

Free netTransmit without per-message permission.

Plain languageClear text on shared incidents — no 10-codes or inside jargon.

DTGDate-Time Group in Zulu (UTC): DDHHMM Z MON YR.

ICS forms a radio operator touches

ICS-205Radio comms plan — frequencies / talkgroups.

ICS-205ACommunications list / contact directory.

ICS-213General message — formal traffic.

ICS-214Activity log — notable events.

ICS-309Communications log — station radio/phone activity.

The Communications Unit

CUL / COMLUnit Leader — directs comms, builds the ICS-205.

INCMIncident Comm Center Manager.

COMTCommunications Technician — keeps gear working.

RADORadio Operator — passes & logs traffic.

AUXCOMMAuxiliary communicators (AUX-C); ARES/RACES feed in.

Volunteer path: License → ARES/RACES → AUXCOMM → RADO → CUL.

Amateur radio licenses

TechnicianEntry; VHF/UHF + limited HF. 35 Q, pass 26.

GeneralAdds broad HF. 35 Q, pass 26. (After Technician.)

ExtraAll privileges. 50 Q, pass 37.

No MorseCode requirement dropped in 2007.

Fees~$15 VE session + $35 FCC (new license).

Pools rotate every 4 years — Technician 2026–2030 (effective Jul 1, 2026), General 2023–2027, Extra 2024–2028.

Find a net

Published Net Directories & Repositories

Official

ARRL Online Net Directory

The official national database for finding registered Traffic Nets, local ARES groups, and National Traffic System (NTS) frequencies across North America.

Search the ARRL directory

Crowd-sourced

HamNets Schedule Finder

A clean, crowd-sourced interactive public schedule engine designed to help radio operators quickly search and discover active on-the-air nets.

Browse hamnets.org

Analog + Digital

NetFinder Public Database

An expansive modern directory sorting both analog HF operations and cross-linked digital voice nets (EchoLink, AllStar, DMR).

Explore netfinder.radio

Digital Voice

RadioID Digital Voice Schedule

A live, continuous repository tracking upcoming worldwide DMR, Brandmeister, and TGIF network nets and active talkgroups.

View radioid.net

Logbooks & awards

Global Logging & Contesting

Cloud Logbook

World Radio League (WRL)

The premier modern web app for amateur radio. Serves as your central cloud logbook, contesting dashboard, and social hub to connect with other operators worldwide.

Open World Radio League

Official

ARRL Logbook of the World (LoTW)

The official national database and secure clearinghouse for amateur radio contacts. Essential for confirming contacts, participating in major contests, and earning official DXCC and WAS awards.

Open LoTW

Net logging tools

Automated Net Logging

Free · Desktop

NetLogger

The community standard for live net check-in management — track stations as they join, auto-populate from callsign lookups, and share the roster in real time with other net stations.

Open netlogger.org

Web App

Net Control Manager

A modern browser-based net control system for managing check-ins, traffic handling, and post-net reports without installing desktop software.

Open netcontrolmanager.com

Incident command paperwork

Tactical ICS Logging Forms

The official FEMA forms every RADO should know how to fill out. Download, print, or carry digital copies in your go-bag.

FEMA · PDF

ICS-214 Activity Log

Notable events, decisions, and actions throughout the operational period — kept by every assigned position.

Download ICS-214 (FEMA)

FEMA · PDF

ICS-309 Communications Log

Time-stamped log of every radio and phone message passed at the station — the RADO's primary record of truth.

Download ICS-309 (FEMA)

Who's on the air

Essential Operator Lookups

Global Directory

QRZ Callsign Database

The ultimate global directory for radio operators. Instantly lookup callsigns, bios, addresses, grid squares, and manage your secondary web logbook.

Search QRZ.com

Official

ARRL Logbook of the World

The official secure clearinghouse for confirming amateur radio contacts and earning DXCC, WAS, and other ARRL awards.

Open LoTW