The FCC expects amateur radio operators to use their skills and equipment to help their community in emergency situations. One of the best ways to prepare for this is to register and practice with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). With the rising number and severity of national-scale disasters, the need for adequate preparation and identification of amateur radio operators has risen dramatically. It is now imperative for those wanting to really contribute to service and have access to restricted emergency sites to register with their local ARES organization, and complete required training courses (see below). We fully expect the next large disaster to call upon amateur radio operators more than ever before. However, to help at a disaster scene now, you must have proper identification and training. To this end, it is imperative that you complete and submit an ARES Application—before the emergency comes!

All Texas counties
(click image for larger map)

Online Training

As part of your ARES membership, it is strongly recommended (required to support an actual emergency) that all ARES members complete the following four free online courses from FEMA:

• IS-700.B (NIMS) – Introduction to the National Incident Management System
• IS-100.C (ICS) – Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS-200.C (ICS) – Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
• IS-800.C (NRF) – Introduction to National Response Framework

and highly recommended:

• IS-271.A – Anticipating Hazardous Weather & Community Risk
• ARRL Courses and Training (e.g., EC-001, EC-002, and EC-003)

For drills, exercises, and actual emergencies activities, proof of completion of one or more of these courses will be required. Your ARES identification card can provide that.

Check in to the weekly training nets and ARES activations (e.g., storm spotting or other emergency situation). The central Texas ARES training net currently meets every Monday at 8:00 PM on the HOTARC 145.15 MHz repeater.

Upon registering with ARES, a list of local repeaters will be provided to you. Program your radio(s) with these area repeater parameters, and know how to access them. During an emergency is not the time to be learning how to use your radio's features and functions!

For more information, contact KG5DHS Paul Collins, ARES McLennan County Emergency Coordinator.

Other Links

• U.S. Lightning Maps: Vaisala (2 hours)     Intellicast (1 hour)
• National Weather Service (Dallas-Fort Worth Office)
• Storm Spotters Checklist : Skywarn hanndout
• Local SKYWARN Frequencies Map: Ham repeater frequencies for emergencies.
• NOAA Tornado FAQ: Excellent digest of latest info
• Weekly HOTARC-ARES Net Control Schedule
• Difference between RACES and ARES (ARRL web site)
• Stormpulse: Hurricane, severe weather tracking, etc.
• HOTREADY: Register for central Texas automatic emergency notifications
• SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network): Membership Application