Placentia RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) is a volunteer group of ham radio operators that offer their time, equipment and skills as a backup source of emergency communications for the community in case of a disaster.  The dirty little secret is this.  If a major disaster takes place, it is expected that cell phones will not work!  Cell phone texting may work but messages may experience long delays.  It is also possible that land line home phones might not work.  Two way radio communications has proven to be very reliable if the equipment is properly maintained, batteries charged and backup power is planned for.  Good emergency communications between city hall and the people dealing with problems in the field requires quick, reliable, communications.  This all might sound rather intimidating but we are here to help you if you have a ham radio license.  Please come to one of our meetings and check us out.