Frequently Asked Questions

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A: LOTOC (Live Oak Trail Ops Center) is currently operated by a single station steward, N5TDS. While it’s a one‑person operation today, the structure is designed to expand if additional operators join in the future. 

A: To provide continuity, clarity, and situational awareness through amateur radio operations, weather logging, and community‑anchored communications. 

A:

• Amateur radio operations (ARES nets, emergency comms).
• Weather monitoring and event logging (WxLog).
• Monitoring the WC‑ARES primary repeater and the national 2m simplex calling frequency (146.520 MHz).
• Relaying messages during emergencies by linking served agencies and radio operators through radio, phone, and internet when normal communication paths are down in affected areas.
• Relaying health and welfare messages from disaster victims inside affected areas to contacts outside the disaster zone, using radio first and forwarding by phone or internet when possible.
• Public situational awareness updates via BlueSky and the LOTOC website.

A: No. LOTOC is not 911, not a dispatch center, and not a replacement for official NWS, county OEM, or public safety alerts. 

A: LOTOC is designed to function primarily as a centralized, fixed station — a hub for monitoring, logging, and relaying information. Field deployment is not routine, but under specific conditions and when coordination requires it, the operator can deploy with portable equipment. 

A: No. Active radio monitoring 24/7 isn’t possible right now. Radios are on during active weather events, ARES activations, and nets, as well as during times when the operator is awake and available. Passive monitoring and logging continue outside of those windows. 

A: Go to our Contact page for the most up‑to‑date information. There you’ll find email addresses, radio details, and a contact form for general inquiries. 

 A:

• Join your county ARES group (Williamson or surrounding counties). 
• Follow LOTOC updates on BlueSky.
• Participate in nets and exercises.