York County Emergency Communications Team
(YCECT)
An opportunity to put your radio skills to valuable use!
YCECT Mission
The York County Emergency Communication Team is made up of volunteers that have a sincere desire to serve their community in the event of an emergency. The team is comprised of emergency management volunteers who are affiliated with and directed by the York County Emergency Management Agency. We are not affiliated with ARES or any club.
Our mission is to serve our county, our towns, and our communities within York County. We welcome any licensed amateur radio operator with a sincere desire to serve his or her community during a time of need to volunteer to become a part of the team. We also need people who are not licensed who want to help facilitate operations or become an amateur radio operator. We are an all-inclusive team regardless of political, racial, religious, or lifestyle differences. A productive, positive, and impartial attitude creates an atmosphere of mentorship and acceptance. A willingness to learn from one another and from our missteps without fear of judgment or criticism is paramount to success. In other words. . . the values that foster a team.
Our purpose, our mission, is to be prepared to provide emergency communication for the YCEMA and their partners in time of need. We train and encourage one another in basic to advanced radio techniques so that we are prepared to keep the lines of communication open when other technologies fail or are overwhelmed.
York County Emergency Communication Team (YCECT) is a specialized unit of the York County Community Emergency Response Teams. (CERT) YCECT is seeking volunteers from every town in York County.
For more information contact: Neil K1NBT – k1nbt@yahoo.com
Sponsored by YCEMA – 149 Jordan Springs Rd, Alfred, US 04002
Dave KB1HUU: drfrancoeur@yorkcountymaine.gov
Joining the Team & Training
Scheduled Training Resources
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3rd Tuesday 6:30 pm Meeting at YCEMA
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2nd Saturdays Training at YCEMA
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Tuesday – 7 pm VHF/UHF Training (See email for details)
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Thursday – 7 pm HF Training (See email for details)
YCECT Sequence of Training (4 Tracks Below):
Track One: All Team Members:
Basic overview for both facilitators and radio operators.
I, CERT Training* see link here for January & February 2026 training offering
Note: Since CERT training is offered intermittently, you can participate in YCECT activities and take CERT within 12 months of joining the team.
II. EMA Volunteer Certification.
III. YCECT Operations Manual: ycect_operations_manual.pdf.
IV. Free On-line FEMA Courses https://training.fema.gov/is/
IS-100.C, Introduction to the ICS
IS-700.B, National Incident Management System (NIMS), an Introduction
IS-800.D National Response Framework, An Introduction
IS-200.C Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
Track Two: RACES – Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service:
RACES personnel are EMA certified volunteer licensed amateur radio operators who provide radio communications during incidents and emergencies. Typical order of equipment needs and skills.
2m Equipment:
1. Hand held, deploy-able field antenna, mag-mount antenna
2. Mobile transceiver
3. Digital hook-up (SignaLink, Digirig or similar interface)
2m Skills:
Voice protocol – both repeater and simplex.
ATU phonetics
FSQCall
Net Control
HF NVIS Equipment:
1. HF Transceiver, antenna capable of NVIS both voice and digital
2. Mobile HF Transceiver, deploy-able antenna capable of NVIS
HF NVIS Skills:
Voice
VARA Chat
FSQCall
Winlink
FLDIGI
Track Three: SHARES
SHARES is a CISA security and emergency preparedness program to communicate when landline and cellular communications are unavailable. Requires security clearance beyond volunteer certification. Operators use existing HF radio resources to coordinate and transmit messages needed to perform critical functions related to leadership, safety, maintenance of law and order, finance, and public health during a declared disaster or incident.
SHARES Skills:
HF Voice
Fldigi
Winlink
Encryption
Track Four: GMRS
GMRS Equipment:
1. Hand held, deploy-able field antenna, mag-mount antenna
2. Mobile transceiver
GMRS Skills:
Voice protocol – both repeater and simplex.
ATU phonetics
~ YCECT ~ Certified ~ Willing ~ Able ~
*York County Emergency Communication Team (YCECT) is a specialized unit of the York County Community Emergency Response Teams. (CERT) YCECT is seeking volunteers from every town in York County.
*CERT members are trained volunteers who know how to take care of themselves, their families and their neighbors. CERT Teams provide critical support to professional first responders; fire, police and emergency medical services.
To become a CERT member, you undergo 21 hours of training and work under the leadership of the County Emergency Management Agency Director or municipal emergency management personnel.
Links
YCECT – Team Call Sign K1YEM
Useful Links:
YCECT Em-Comm Introduction – K1NBT
YCECT Em-Comm Part Two – K1NBT
YCECT Mission and Roles – pdf
YCECT Operations Manual – pdf
YCECT Towns by Quadrant – pdf
YCECT PowerPoint – ema.pptx
MEMA CERT
FEMA CERT
York County Volunteer Application -pdf
York County Volunteer Interests Form
ICS-217a YCECT (Communication Resources) – pdf
YCECT ICS-205 (Communication Plan) – pdf
AUXFOG – Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide – pdf
What is RACES? – pdf
YCECT RACES Guidelines and Authorizations – WA1SQY – pdf
RACES: FEMA Guidance – pdf
Emcomm toolbox (Basic protocol guidance) – pdf
KC1ETT’s QRZ page: Excellent source of links to information!
FSQCALL:
FSQ – Download and intro
FSQCall Cheat Sheet for YCECT
Fldigi:
Fldigi for Beginners
Overview Of All The Fldigi Op Modes
How To Set Up Multiple Fldigi Configurations W3YJ
WinLink:
Beginner’s Guide to Setting Up Winlink
WinLink Training Site
How to resize an image in WinLink
RMS vs P2P – pdf
NVIS:
South Arm Stage NEFR Radio Challenge
HF Propagation Data, Maps, and Tools
Forms:
Fillable Radiogram Form – pdf
ICS-213 Message Form (Fillable) – pdf
ICS-213 Form Fillable – .doc
ICS 309 Communication Log
Traffic/Relay:
Using a Radiogram to Receive NTS Traffic: KD8TTE
Handling Traffic by Voice on the National Traffic System KD8TTE
Avoiding Common Mistakes in Message Relay KD8TTE Ep 009
Hip Pocket Training: Relay, Don’t Edit KD8TTE Ep 013
Some Prowords – pdf
GMRS:
GMRS and FRS
GMRS for Emergency Communications
AUXCOMM:
AUXCOMM: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant program auxiliary emergency/public service communications. York County Maine AUXCOMM has adopted the Homeland Security document. Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide v1.1 (AUXFOG) as our general operations guidelines augmented by the YCECT operations manual.
Team and Community Preparedness:
Emergency Response Team Prep Overview – pdf
National Terrorism Advisory System
Prepare your family for disaster Homeland Security
Surviving Power Outage – pdf
YCECT 72 Hour Go Kit – pdf
Home Preparedness
DIY Medical Emergency Kit Basics – pdf
Nuclear:
Good News About Nuclear
Nuclear Guide
You Will Survive Doomsday
EMP and Amateur Radio – pdf
EMP and Faraday Protection – K1MPH – pdf
Antenna Tuners:
Antenna Tuners Setting the Record Straight – pdf
SWR:
SWR the Persistent Myth – pdf
SWR Another Look at Reflectors – pdf
Additional Useful Links:
Common Myths of Ham Radio For Prepping
CISA – Leveraging The PACE Plan into The Emergency Communications Ecosystem
York County, Maine Hazard Mitigation Plan 2022
Neighboring County Emergency Communication Teams:
Lakes Region Repeater Association (NH)
Wireless Society of Southern Maine
Maine ARES frequencies – pdf
GMRS
Congratulations on getting your GMRS license! Most of us get our license and radio because we are concerned about being able to communicate in an emergency.
Hi my name is Neil Tolman – WRKP270. I’m team Chief of the York County Emergency Communication Team.
We live in a world where emergencies—whether natural disasters, power outages, or unforeseen crises—can strike at any moment. In these critical moments, communication becomes a lifeline. GMRS radios, with their extended range and reliability, can be an invaluable tool for keeping in touch with family, friends, neighbors, and emergency services when traditional communication networks fail.
However, there is one key element that stands between you and effective emergency communication: training.
Why Train?
Be Prepared – not panicked: In an emergency, time is often of the essence. Having the ability to quickly and effectively communicate can make all the difference. Training ensures that when disaster strikes, you don’t waste precious minutes figuring out how to use your radio or calling for help.
GMRS radios are versatile, but their functionality and range depend on the user’s knowledge of frequencies, power settings, antenna use, and proper etiquette. Without the proper skills, you may miss vital transmissions or fail to transmit clearly when it matters most.
Emergencies are stressful, and a calm, clear voice on the radio can be the difference between success and failure. Training builds confidence, ensuring that in high-stress situations, you know exactly what to do – whether it’s contacting a first responder, relaying vital information, or coordinating efforts with a group of people.
Effective Communication Saves Lives: The ability to clearly convey critical information—such as the location of survivors, medical needs, or hazards in the area—can help first responders prioritize their efforts and save lives. Regular practice helps you develop concise, efficient communication, reducing the chance of misunderstandings.
Steps You Can Take Today:
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Practice Regularly - Don’t wait until a disaster strikes to pick up your radio. Set aside time to familiarize yourself with your GMRS equipment and test your communication skills. Practice not only sending and receiving messages, but also how to help in an emergency.
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Stay informed about Local Risks - Understand the potential emergencies that may affect your area.
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Familiarize yourself with emergency radio protocols - GMRS radios operate on specific frequencies so make sure you’re always ready to listen in on important transmissions.
Consider enrolling in more advanced courses that focus on emergency communication, including those offered by York County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). The more you learn, the more equipped you’ll be.
GMRS radios are an essential tool for communication in times of crisis, but without proper training, their effectiveness can be limited. Emergencies are unpredictable, but your preparation doesn’t have to be. By taking the time to train, you not only increase your own safety and readiness, but you also contribute to the overall resilience of your community. Don’t wait for the unexpected to happen – start training today to ensure you’re ready when the time comes.
Being part of an emergency focused community ensures you’re not alone when the need arises and allows you to exchange vital knowledge. We are a specialized part of the York County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). Come train with us.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and stay connected.
Neil Tolman WRKP270
207-590-4896
k1nbt@yahoo.com
The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
A valuable tool for emergency situations where immediate coordination and information sharing are crucial, such as during natural disasters, power outages, or other emergencies. By equipping yourself with a GMRS radio and understanding its operation, you can enhance your preparedness and contribute to effective emergency response efforts.
When applying for a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) license with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), you agree to several important conditions:
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Compliance with Regulations: You must adhere to all FCC rules and regulations governing GMRS operations. This includes operating within the designated frequencies and adhering to power limits.
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Licensing Requirements: You agree to operate only on frequencies for which you are authorized and to use the radio equipment in accordance with the technical standards specified by the FCC. $35 fee, no test, with assigned call sign if you are 18 years or older and not a representative of a foreign government. If you receive a license, any family member, regardless of age, can operate GMRS stations and units within the licensed system.
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Identification: You are required to identify your station using the call sign issued by the FCC at the beginning and end of each communication, and at least once every 15 minutes during a conversation.
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Radio Operation: You agree to use GMRS frequencies only for personal or business communications, not for commercial purposes or public safety operations, which are reserved for other types of communication services.
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Responsibility for Equipment: You are responsible for ensuring that the radio equipment you use meets FCC specifications and does not cause interference to other communications.
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Updating Information: You must inform the FCC of any changes to your address or other contact information associated with your license.
By agreeing to these terms, you help maintain orderly and interference-free GMRS communications, ensuring effective and reliable use of the service for you and others.