RACES/ARES/MARS Stations

Volunteering for public service through amateur is one of the most rewarding aspects of amateur radio. Helping one’s fellow man can only make the world a better place. With that said, there are three organizations I am involved with to one degree or another. As a member of the local RACES group, my goal is to develop a system that will allow public safety communication support in the event that normal methods fail. WINLNK is one such system I’m working on. Although not a member of ARES, I support their efforts by checking into local nets. If you are a licensed amateur radio operator, you should consider committing to one or more of these groups a small portion of your time to make a big impact! RACES The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service is a standby radio service provided for in Part 97.407 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations governing amateur radio in the United States. During periods of RACES activation, certified unpaid personnel are called upon to perform many tasks for the government agencies they serve. Although the exact nature of each activation will be different, the common thread is communications. Wikipedia - RACES USRACES.ORG What is RACES? Guidance For Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service ARES The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service was founded in 1952. It is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) communications group within government agencies in times of extraordinary need. During periods of RACES activation, certified unpaid personnel are called upon to perform many tasks for the government agencies they serve. Although the exact nature of each activation will be different, the common thread is communications. ARES ARES Facebook Page Two Flavors of Amateur Radio Emergency Operation MARS The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) is a United States Department of Defense sponsored program, established as a separately managed and operated program by the United States Army, and the United States Air Force. The United States Navy-Marine program has been closed. The program is a civilian auxiliary consisting primarily of licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in assisting the military with communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications. The MARS programs also include active duty, reserve, and National Guard units; Navy, Marine Corps, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ships, and Coast Guard cutters and shore stations. Air Force MARS Army MARS Army MARS Facebook Page