1: Basic Training

2: Practical Experience

3: Equipment

4: Message Handling

Equipment

Personal Equipment Checklist

Each ARES member is expected to be prepared to respond as effectively as possible to a callout. No one is expected to ignore personal responsibilities to family or employer, nor unnecessarily risk their welfare. However, personal inconvenience or lack of preparation is insufficient reason for not supporting a callout.

How do I prepare?

Put together a "go-bag" of the items suggested in the equipment list shown below. Please understand that you are not expected to stuff your entire ham shack, closet and pantry into a time capsule in preparation for and alternative life style in support of ARES. Rather that you think about the items you do not have and acquire them while there is time and no urgency.
The list includes virtually everything you will need to be helpful in an ARES event. We suggest you maintain one "go-bag" with the items that you would need only during a deployment and possibly a second (or it could be just a list) of the items that, when added to the first, will provide you with the personal supplies and radio equipment to make you much more effective and comfortable during an event.
To summarize, don't wait until you are called to assemble your "go-bag". Do it in advance at your leisure.
The items shown in UPPER CASE are the ones most likely to be needed.

Equipment:

• ARES/SERVED-AGENCY IDENTIFICATION CARD
• COPY OF AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE
• HANDHELD RADIO (dual band if possible)
• SPARE BATTERY PACKs (CHARGED nicad and AA)
• HEADSET, SPEAKER-MIC.
• 19IN. MAG. MOUNT/GROUND PLANE ANTENNA (will function on 70cm)
• COAX JUMPERS AND CONNECTORS
• CONNECTOR ADAPTERS (bnc/pl259, bnc/so239, some radios require SMA)
• DUCT TAPE
• SHORTHAND NOTEBOOK, PEN & CLIP BOARD
• WATCH
• MAPS OF THE AREA (Topo and street)!!!
• COPIES OF MESSAGE FORMS
• Compass and/or GPS
• Copy of District Operations Manual
• Boundry-Marking Tape
• Insect Repellent (summer)
• List of served agency phone numbers in your area (not just district)

• 3 DAY SUPPLY OF PERSONAL MEDICATION!
• WARM CLOTHING & BOOTS (bright colors for shirts and jackets)
• HAT - (this is IMPORTANT for everyone)
• GLOVES
• SPARE GLASSES (spare contact solutions if you wear them)
• FIRST AID KIT
• SUPPLY OF WATER (the warmer your region, the more you need but
• EVERYONE needs water with them)
• TOILET PAPER/KLEENEX
• Moist Towelette Packets
• SUN SCREEN (winter or summer)
• RAIN SUIT
• ORANGE VEST (for use if your clothing is drab colored)
• Space Blanket
• Plastic ground cover tarp
• Spare shoe laces and some twine
• Wool blanket
• Fanny-pack/Back-Pack
• Sports/Bicycle water bottle
• High energy snacks
• Large trash bags
• Flashlight W/extra batteries
• Whistle

• SWISS ARMY - type - KNIFE
• SCREW DRIVER (phillips and flat)
• PLIERS
• SIDE CUTTER
• CRESENT WRENCH
• ELECTRICAL TAPE
• VOM
• Fence Pliers (includes hammer)
• Crimp Tool (includes wire stripper)
• Assortment of crimp connectors, nails, brads, tacks
• For public service events:
  • COOLER with FOOD & DRINK
  • Lawn chair
  • Umbrella (sun or rain)
• Optional items:
  • 3 Wire AC Extension Cord w/2-3 pin adaptor
  • AC to 12V power supply
  • Soldering Iron w/solder
  • 2M Beam Antenna w/Tripod, mast & guy rope
  • Nut Driver set
  • Folding set of Allen/Torx wrenches
  • Zip Cord
  • Cash (for pay phones & if power is out)
  • Transistor radio
  • Binoculars

• HF rig (12V dc preferred) with: Mic, Key, Head phones, ext speaker.
• Tuner - for the oddball antenna
• 50 ft + RG58 or better
• NVIS antenna: (NOT a mobile vertical!)
• 75m dipole w/ ladder line or 130 ft of wire
• Insulators
• 3 Masts, 8ft or more, preferably non-conductive
• Guy rope
• Tent pegs for guys
• Lead weight & 50 ft light line for tossing over branches
• "Loud" marking tape to warn passers-by of guys, lines.
• Power source (one or more):
• 12V gel cell 75 A/H w/ charger
• Vehicle w/ 12V battery & gas

• Shelter tent
• Table & chair