Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)

Quick Index for this Page

What is ARES?
Why Hams are Valuable During Emergencies 
ARES Organizations - Hudson County 
ARES Nets
ARES Forms
Links to ARES-Related Sites

What is ARES?

ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services and pronounced "Air-ease") is a volunteer radio communications service available to federal, state, county and local government, as well as not-profit organizations. ARES consists of thousands of U.S. amateur radio operators who have voluntarily registered their services and formed an organized pool of operators to provide reliable emergency communications links for governmental agencies and  not-profit organizations when needed.

Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in the A.R.R.L. (American Radio Relay League) or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. There are no fees. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateur license holders are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.

To learn more about ARES, visit the ARRL web page:

• Chapter 1: Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)  -  .PDF file from the ARRL "Public Service Communication Manual"

Why ham radio is valuable during emergencies

  Amateur radio has several advantages during emergencies:

• Radio transmissions can be heard by an unlimited number of receivers, so  information intended for a group can be sent quickly.
• A large reserve of experienced hams -- each with their own radios -- can quickly establish supplementary communication networks on the ham frequencies.
• Ham operators can prove a common link for agencies who normally operate on disparate frequencies.
• A large number of ham frequencies allow a large number of separate information channels.
• Many ham radios operate on batteries, so they can operate from most field locations or when street power is lost.
• Existing ham voice repeaters extend the area of ham coverage far beyond most police or fire radio systems.
• Information can also be sent in digital form when privacy or volume are a  concern.
• Ham television can quickly provide live images from field sites.
  

ARES Organization in Hudson County

The local ARES groups are:

The umbrella organization for the local groups is Hudson County ARES, of which Rich Krajewski (WB2CRD) is the District Emergency Coordinator or DEC.

All county ARES organizations fall under the jurisdiction of the Northern New Jersey (NNJ) Section, of which Steve Ostrove (K2SO) is Section Emergency Coordinator or SEC.

To join the NNJ ARES email reflector and receive notices and announcements of NNJ ARES activities, visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nnjares/. To join Hudson County ARES, send a request to WB2CRD (link at the bottom of this page).

Served Agencies

ARES services are available to government and other non-profit agencies during disasters or other emergency situations. The ARRL has statements of understanding to cooperate with

• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
• National Weather Service (NWS)
• National Communications Systems (NCS)
• Assoc. of Public Safety Communications Officers- Intl, Inc.( APSCO  )

also the National Headquarters of

• The American Red Cross
• The Salvation Army

In addition to emergency services, many ARES units help with non-emergency, non-profit special events, both as a public service and to practice their communication skills. Typically these include marathons, bike races, festivals, parades, and First Night events.

ARES Nets

Emergency nets are formed when circumstances dictate. 

For on-going news and practice, please listen to and check-in to these nets:

1. The NNJ ARES net is held on the 2nd Monday of the month at 8 p.m. on the WS2Q repeater, 146.895 MHz (-600, PL 151.4).

2. The Hudson County ARES net is held on the last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. on 146.535 MHz simplex. The Hudson County net is simplex to provide training to hams in how to communicate over VHF frequencies when a repeater is not available.

Forms and Software Used in ARES

• ARES Field Service Forms - downloads from ARRL web site - including NTS radiogram, ARES registration, "Handy Operating Aid", Emergency Reference card.
• ARES Software - Shareware/Freeware 

Links to Other ARES References or Web Sites

• Northern New Jersey Section of ARRL  (covers Hudson County)
• Hudson Division of the ARRL (covers NNJ section)
• ARRL Field Services (covers the Hudson Division)
• ARRL "Public Service Communications Manual" - online or .PDF file or order printed copy- An overall source of basic information on the ARRL's public service communications program. Includes details on ARES and NTS. #PSCM
• ARRL "ARES Field Resources Manual" - order printed copy
   A quick trainer and resource guide for the Emergency Communicator. #5439
• ARRL Emergency Coordinator's Manual - order printed copy
  Covers some of the finer points of Emergency Coordinator duties, as well as recruiting and obtaining the necessary resources to properly plan and implement effective emergency and disaster communications. #FSD9
• The ARRL Net Directory -  .TXT file or order printed copy
  Listings for hundreds of Amateur Radio nets of interest to North American hams, including local and statewide traffic, rag chew, maritime service, special-interest, fun, and public service nets. #7393
• A Short Guide to Emergency Radio Communications - by Cal Morgan, W7SFT
• Simplex Net Operation Procedures

• ARES Communications Operations Guide - for California by Bill Pennington, WA6SLA 

• National ARES Web Site - unofficial

• Colorado ARES Plan

There is also a Hudson County ARES reflector for members only. Your EC or the DEC can send you an invitation to join via e-mail. (This reflector will not accept anonymous memberships.)

Northern New Jersey ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) Net: 2nd Monday of each month, 8 p.m. on 146.895 (-) PL 151.4.

The Northern New Jersey Late Session VHF Traffic Net meets daily at 10:30 p.m. on 146.700-. The Early Session meets at 7:30 p.m. on 146.895- (151.40).

The Hudson County ARES net meets monthly on the last Monday at 7 p.m., 146.535 MHz simplex.

Contact WB2CRD to join ARES in Hudson County.