Free club resource · All U.S. states
Build the skills to support your local assignment: prepare a station, work a directed net, move an accurate message, and coordinate with partner organizations.
National foundations. Local application. Original WSTI instruction uses ARRL, FCC, FEMA and CISA references. Your local activation process, channel plan, agency procedures and qualification requirements remain part of your preparation.
The current regional course remains available. Its South Carolina examples and procedures must be checked against your own organization’s plan before local use.
Open the existing courseWSTI learning path
The complete EC-101 through EC-113 bundle is $25. Eligible CARS members have complimentary access. Check access or enroll →
Each class includes narration, saved progress, assessment, and a printable certificate after passing.
Prepare for an authorized assignment, recognize role limits, and complete a safe check-in and handoff.
Prerequisite: No prior emergency assignment required. An appropriate license and authorization are required for any actual transmission.
Start EC-101Understand the path between stations, diagnose a failed contact, and match a field station to the assigned task.
Prerequisite: EC-101 or equivalent readiness training; familiarity with the learner’s radio manual.
Start EC-102Practice concise check-ins, controlled turns, priority traffic and accurate readback in an original shelter-net scenario.
Prerequisite: EC-101 and EC-102, or equivalent local training.
Start EC-103Turn a verbal request into an accurate, traceable message and distinguish message receipt from completed action.
Prerequisite: EC-103 or equivalent net and readback practice.
Start EC-104Plan how assigned partners exchange information, identify gaps, and validate primary and backup communications paths.
Prerequisite: EC-101 through EC-104 or equivalent experience; official FEMA study remains separate.
Start EC-105Select a suitable fallback, run an original tabletop exercise, and turn observed failures into specific corrective actions.
Prerequisite: EC-101 through EC-105 or equivalent training.
Start EC-106Understand how South Carolina plans, requests, coordinates, documents, and demobilizes communications support under ESF-2.
Prerequisite: EC-101 recommended. This class provides plan literacy, not an appointment, incident assignment, radio authorization, or state credential.
Start EC-107Read the signed SCEMD-ARES MOU as an organizational agreement and apply its activation, support, training, sustainment, and modification terms to realistic assignments.
Prerequisite: EC-107 recommended. This course does not appoint an operator, create an incident assignment, or provide legal advice.
Start EC-108A detailed, scenario-based course on ICS assignments, communications plans, general and resource messages, net-control logs, relay accuracy, and record handoff.
Prerequisite: None; follow the actual incident communications plan.
Start EC-109Practical HF, VHF, and UHF path planning, repeaters, link budgets, antennas, indoor coverage, and field tests.
Prerequisite: None; field radio use still requires proper authorization.
Start EC-110Packet fundamentals, Winlink message flow, gateway and peer-to-peer paths, forms, privacy, and field readiness.
Prerequisite: Basic radio operating familiarity is helpful.
Start EC-111VarAC/VARA setup, live chat, VMail custody, EmComm features, gateways, ICS traffic, logging, and fallback.
Prerequisite: Basic digital-mode and radio setup familiarity is helpful.
Start EC-112Setup, Bluetooth and LoRa limits, permanent solar nodes, ATAK/iTAK integration, message custody, and field verification.
Prerequisite: None; use current device and app documentation during setup.
Start EC-113Each course is designed for detailed instruction, worked examples, guided practice and a ten-question assessment. PowerPoint materials include linked navigation, answer reveals and restrained visual transitions.
Each class includes recorded narration, playback controls, written lessons, saved progress, assessment feedback, and a printable completion certificate.
A WSTI certificate records course completion. It does not grant a radio license, agency-channel access, official FEMA/CISA credit or local ARES qualification.
Source review: September 21, 2026. Older reference editions are identified; confirm current guidance with your organization before operational use.
This is independent WSTI instruction. No endorsement by ARRL, FCC, FEMA or CISA is claimed. Training scenarios and examples are original; linked official materials retain their own terms.