Accessing SHARES

The SHAred RESources (SHARES) High Frequency (HF) Radio Program is available on a 24-hour basis to provide an emergency communications link to support intra- or interagency mission requirements. The use of SHARES requires no prior coordination or activation to transmit messages. The flag word "SHARES" is all that is needed to get the message through.

Certain conditions must exist to use SHARES. These include:

• The information must support national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) requirements. 
• The information must be communicated to a federal entity and be of critical importance to the federal government, the entity's mission, and/or involve the preservation of life and property.
• The primary means of communications, including landline or cellular communications, must be inoperative or unavailable for use.
• The processing of SHARES message traffic must not interfere with the primary mission requirements of the SHARES participants.

To access the SHARES network, authorized users should contact the nearest SHARES station and request assistance in processing a SHARES message. All SHARES messages are unclassified; however, encrypted messages are authorized to be passed over SHARES. Message precedence is not used in SHARES. The priority for handling SHARES messages in relation to other mission or emergency message traffic is established by the participating SHARES station. Use of the flag word "SHARES", however, serves to notify SHARES station personnel that the information supports critical NS/EP communications.

For additional information, reference the Processing SHARES Messages and SHARES Resource Contributors documents in the SHARES publications library.