There is no absolutely "right" list of equipment you'll need for emergency communications operations. The ARRL has a suggested list of equipment which is listed below. Penobscot County ARES has established equipment certification levels ranging from the very simple to the very complex. We recommend that you meet one of the equipment levels listed below. A complete list of recommended equipment can be found in the Penobscot County Resources Manual (on the Documents page of this web site).
| Forms of Identification
ARES Identification Card Radio Gear VHF transceiver Writing Gear pen/pencil/eraser Tool Box (72 hour duration) screwdrivers |
Personal Gear (short
duration emergency)
snacks Personal Gear (72 hour duration emergency) foul weather gear Other (72 hour duration) HF transceiver |
Certification levels for Penobscot County ARES build on one
another. You must be certified fully in one level before you can be certified in
another. The aim is to have a well equipped membership that can be quickly
evaluated by the staff as to their equipment capabilities so the membership can
be utilized effectively.
|
HFLevel One HF radio system with power supply capable of operations
on 3940 kHz (SSB operations) Level Two HF radio system with power supply capable of operations
on 80 through 10 meters Level Three Home backup power system that will operate independent of the commercial mains (deep cycle marine battery, generator or other power source) Level Four Portable HF radio system with power supply capable of 80
through 10 meter operation Level Five Portable power system (independent of commercial mains) for portable operations Level Six Mobile HF radio system capable of 80 through 10 meter
operation
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