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Emergency Communication Training
Learn essential communication skills for handling emergency situations and effectively coordinating with first responders.
What We Offer
TACER empowers students to merge their passion for engineering with emergency communication training to serve their community. The club offers dynamic workshops and drills to prepare members for effective communication during crises like earthquakes and fires.
Lead your community by making a real impact during emergencies.
Explore cool tech skills like HAM radio and emergency communication.
Achieve recognition with badges, certifications, and leadership roles.
Develop your future with fun events, volunteer hours, and internships.
TACER Certification
Develop leadership qualities through team-based activities, and take on roles to support and guide peers.
Community Service
Engage in community service projects that utilize engineering and communication skills to assist local residents during crises. You can also get volunteer hours for helping out in your community.
Memberships
Do you want to be a hero in your community? Join TACER, where we use HAM radios to help during emergencies! We have three awesome membership levels and a fun badge system to make your journey exciting!
Signal Scouts
(Novices)
Just starting out? No problem! As a Signal Scout, you'll learn the basics of HAM radio. We’ll teach you everything you need to know from the ground up. It’s like being a scout but with radios!
Wave Warriors
(HAM Hopefuls)
Ready to take the next step? Wave Warriors are students who want to get their HAM radio license. You’ll learn the rules, how to talk on the radio, and get ready to ace your HAM license exam. It’s like gearing up for an epic quest!
Comm Commanders
(Ninjas)
Got your HAM license? Awesome! Comm Commanders are our licensed HAM radio experts. You’ll lead and mentor other students, helping them become radio pros too. Comm Commanders are the superheroes of TACER, using their skills to save the day.
Badge System
To make things even more fun, we have a cool badge system! Earn badges as you learn and help out. Here’s how you can collect them:
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Radio Rookie Badge: Learn the basics of HAM radio.
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Signal Seeker Badge: Master operating procedures and make your first radio contact.
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Techie Badge: Understand radio equipment and set up your own station.
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Wave Whisperer Badge: Learn about radio wave propagation.
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Safety Star Badge: Demonstrate excellent electrical safety.
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Station Star Badge: Successfully set up and operate your station.
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Communicator Badge: Make multiple contacts and help in a mock emergency drill.
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Fix-It Badge: Troubleshoot and fix a radio problem.
Each badge represents a step closer to becoming a HAM radio expert and a community hero. So, what are you waiting for? Join TACER and start your adventure in emergency communications today!
FAQ
Q: Is it just for teens? Ans: Yes but I am looking for adult advisor and volunteers. If you are interested, email us. All ages are welcome to sign up to get access to the learning modules so that you can work to get a HAM license.
Q: Why should I sign up/How will TACER help me? Ans: You will get a HAM license using a new learning technique in the form of modules on our website so that you can communicate in times of emergency.
Q: How can I get involved? Ans: My team is working on different events like a scavenger hunt and if you sign up we can update you on upcoming activities.
Q: How much does it cost? Ans: It is completely free!
Q: Do I need a HAM license? Ans: This website will help you get one as fast and efficiently to save your time.
Q: Do I have to be a resident of County of Santal Clara, CA? Ans: Anyone is welcome.
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Is it just for teens?All ages are welcome to sign up to get access to the learning modules so that you can work to get a HAM license. But, we are also looking for adult advisor and volunteers. If you are interested, email us.
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How can I get involved?My team is working on different events like a scavenger hunt and if you sign up we can update you on upcoming activities.
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How much does it cost?It is completely free! We want to support you to get a HAM license so that the community is safer.
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Why should I sign up and how will it help me?You will get a HAM license using a new learning technique in the form of modules on our website so that you can communicate in times of emergency.
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What if I don't have a HAM Radio?Your county or local Amateur HAM Radio club may be able to provide you with one.
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Do I need a HAM license?By signing up you will gain access to the learning modules so that you can work to getting a HAM license!
Meet the Team
Founder & Executive Director
Vihaan Mishra, a 15-year-old sophomore from California, is the founder of Teens Assisting with Communications in Emergency Response (TACER). California often faces natural disasters like wildfires, droughts, and earthquakes, making emergency preparedness crucial. Through TACER, he encourages his peers to support local first responders and develop critical skills for disaster response.
He is a board member and Head of Emergency Communications for Teen-CERT, the first teenage-led branch of the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA)’s National Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program in Santa Clara County. Additionally, Vihaan is an active member of his high school’s Associated Student Body and serves as Treasurer of the Youth Commission in his town, demonstrating his strong leadership and commitment to community service.
Activities
Get Inspired
Partners & Resources
Victoria Bebee is the Emergency Services Manager for the Los Altos Hills County Fire district. She has been in Emergency Services in some capacity in Santa Clara County for over 20 years. She is the program manager for both CERT, Teen CERT, Emergency Preparedness, and Disaster Coordination.
Sponsor
Free Resources
HAM Modules
FCC Rules, Regulations, and Guidelines
The FCC is the boss of the radio world. They make sure everyone follows the rules so radios signals don't get all mixed up. For HAM radio, the FCC has special rules. You need a license to use HAM radios. Think of it like getting a driver's license but for radios. You have to know what you can and can't do with your radio. For example, you have to use certain frequencies and be polite when you talk. You also need to identify yourself with a radio name which is a special call sign. It’s important to follow these rules so that everyone can use their radios without problems.
Operating Procedures
Operating procedures are like the manners of the radio world. When you talk on a HAM radio, you need to follow some special ways of speaking. This includes saying things clearly and using a call sign to identify yourself. Sometimes, people use Morse code, which is a way of sending messages with beeps. There are also digital modes, which let computers talk to each other over the radio. Repeaters are special radios that help your signal go farther. By following these procedures, everyone can understand each other and have fun talking on the radio.
Radio and Electronics Fundamentals
Radios are like magic boxes that let you talk to people far away. But there's a lot of science behind them! You need to know some basic electrical principles, like how electricity works. For e.g. Ohm's Law helps you understand how voltage, current, and resistance work together. You also learn about circuits, which are paths for electricity to follow. Understanding these basics helps you know how your radio works and how to fix it if something goes wrong.
Radio Equipment
Radio equipment is what you use to talk on your HAM radio. This includes a transmitter, which sends your voice or message, and a receiver, which listens to others. You also need antennas, which are the ears for your radio that help it hear better. Feedlines are the wires that connect everything. Power supplies give your radio the energy it needs to work. Learning about this equipment helps you set up your radio station and make sure everything works properly.
Radio Wave Propagation
Radio waves are invisible waves that carry your voice from one place to another. They can travel in different ways, called propagation. Ground waves travel along the ground, while sky waves bounce off the ionosphere, a layer high up in the sky. This helps your radio signal go really far. But obstacles like mountains, buildings, and weather can affect how well your signal travels. Understanding propagation helps you know the best times and ways to talk to people far away.
Station Setup and Operation
Setting up your radio station is like building a cool fort. You need to choose a good spot for your radio and set up all your equipment, like the transmitter, receiver, and antenna. You also need to make sure everything is connected properly with feedlines. Once your station is set up, you can start operating it. You can use your radio to talk to people, make new friends, and even help in emergencies. Setting up your station the right way helps you have clear conversations and lots of fun.
Electrical Safety
Working with radios means working with electricity, and that can be dangerous if you’re not careful. Electrical safety is all about making sure you don’t get hurt. This inclused learning how to handle electrical equipment safely, not touching wires with wet hands and making sure your equipment is grounded. Grounding means giving electricity a safe path to follow if there’s a problem. Lightning protection is also important because it keeps your equipment safe during storms. By following these safety rules, you can enjoy your radio hobby without getting hurt.
Communications and Practical Operating Skills
Talking on a HAM radio is a similar to making a phone call, but with some special tricks. You need to know how to make contacts, which is talking to other HAM radio operators. You also learn how to log your contacts, writing down who you talked to and when. Q signals are special codes that make talking faster and easier. Emergency communications are really important too. HAM radios can be a big help when other communication methods don’t work. By learning these skills, you become a great HAM radio operator.
Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Just like anything else, radios can have problems. Troubleshooting is finding out what's wrong and fixing it. You learn to identify common problems, like bad connections or broken parts. Routine maintenance is giving your radio a check-up to make sure it’s working well. This might include cleaning it, checking the connections, and making sure the antenna is in good shape. Diagnostic tools, like multimeters, help you test different parts of your radio. By keeping your radio in good shape, you can enjoy using it for a long time.
Student Experiences
Find out what our members have to say about their experiences at TACER.