Middle Tennessee
Amateur Radio Society Hamfest
Tullahoma Tennessee
15 Mar 08
Saturday 8am-4pm;
First Methodist Church, 208 West Lauderdale St.
<<<Click here to enter the official web site>>
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Amateur Radio is an immensely important and valuable emergency management resource. There are Amateur Radio operators, popularly known as Ham Radio operators or simply Hams, in every county of the United States. There are countless examples of Hams providing essential communications during disasters, when all other lines of communications have failed.
Becoming an Amateur Radio operator is not as simple as buying a two-way radio and turning it on. All Hams are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. Licenses are issued to individuals who, through rigorous testing, have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in radio theory and procedure.
The use of special frequencies, including 2-meter repeaters which are most widely used by ARES/RACES groups, is regulated and standardized using protocols established by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). In every corner of the nation, Hams participate in local clubs which own and operate these repeaters that enhance and extend radio communications.
The nationally organized emergency management applications of amateur radio include:
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service, or ARES, is an organization which was formed under the ARRL. ARES organizations can operate in support of state and local emergency management, support the Red Cross, VOAD, etc.. ARES teams participate in severe weather observation (Skywarn), search and rescue operations, support of major public events and just about any situation where reliable communications links are needed to replace or augment normal emergency communications systems. In some areas, ARES and RACES are combined.
The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, or RACES (pronounced RAY-seize). RACES is an activity of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. RACES was originally established to enable an official network during national security crises. As planned then, only Hams trained and enrolled in RACES would be permitted to operate during such disasters. With the end of the Cold War, the role of RACES has evolved, emphasizing all-hazard measures. Any local or state emergency management agency can establish a RACES organization of local Hams.
Military Affiliate Radio Service (MARS) per Directive Number 4650.2 dated 26 January 26, 1998 the MARS mission is to provide emergency communications on a local, national, or international basis as an alternate communication capability. Support and encourage the MARS and amateur radio activities and avoid, with the limitations imposed by military exigencies, any action that would tend to jeopardize the independent prerogatives of the individual amateur radio operator.
The American Red Cross has relied heavily upon Amateur Radio for years. The ARC has found Hams to be extremely helpful in support of its human welfare mission.
Experienced emergency management professionals know that everyday
communications links (e.g. land & cellular telephones, public service radios) may not
exist during major emergencies. Almost certainly, Hams will be up and ready to serve. As
one individual put it, "HAM" stands for "Helping All Mankind". 
73, Michael KB4JHU/AFA2DQ
Official Emergency Station, Coffee County. Tennessee
Email a message to KB4JHU/AFA2DQ
Email a message to KB4JHU/AFA2DQ
IMD Arnold AFB, Tennessee 
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
National RACES Page 
Skywarn
SAREX - Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment
Solar Terrestrial Activity Report
TAPR - Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Home Page
QRZ Callsign Database
FCC - Amateur Radio Services
Federal Emergency Management Agency
SEDAN Packet Radio Web Page
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
MARS AGENCIES
AIR FORCE MARS
ARMY MARS
NAVY MARS
SERVED AGENCIES
American Red Cross
National Weather Service (NWS) Home page
B'Ham National Weather Service (NWS)
Home page
Packet/APRS Sites/Satellite
Bob Bruninga, WB4APR Home Page
OTHER SITES OF INTEREST TO ARES/RACES MEMBERS
10 Ways to Optimize Your Effectiveness in Public Service Events EMCOMM RACES Bulletins Hospital Disaster Support Communications Systems of Orange County, CA
SITES OF LOCAL INTEREST, RECIPROCAL LINKS OR OTHER STUFF
AC6V's DX Reference Page Amateur Radio Elmers Resource Directory Ham Radio Online Magazine MapQuest! North American Center for Emergency Communications STAT MedEvac's Home Page
Site updated as of 2 Oct 2007. You are number to visit the site.
Free web sites for amateur radio operators can be obtained by visiting QSL.net.