Introduction to ARES 2019

Published on Sep 24, 2018

An overview of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service for the Lunch and Learn with Manassas City

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Introduction to ARES

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service 
Photo by risaikeda

Background

  • Amateur (Ham) radio operators
  • Licensed by the FCC (T47 CFR, Part 97)
  • Three licensed levels (Tech/Gen/Extra)
  • 97.113 - Amateurs are non-pecuniary, not unskilled
  • 2015: 700K licensed amateurs, 31,000 ARES
* Put a group of Amateurs in a room and ask why we are called hams and you will get a religious argument on the level of Vi vs. EMACS. No one knows where the term came from, so since the FCC calls us Radio Amateurs, I use the term Amateurs.

* All references to part 97 is from Title 47 CFR.

* Non-pecuniary: a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis, not a person who is incompetent or inept at a particular activity.
Photo by j3net

organization

  • Amateur Radio Emergency Service
  • Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (97.407)
* ARES is a function of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). The League has broken the United States into Regions, Sections, and then local. Each section is broken differently. For the Virginia Section, the National Capital Region comprises Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Fall Church City, Loudoun, Prince William, and Fauquier.

* RACES, a Part 97 organization, requires registration with local civil defense organization. Manpower, in Prince William, is the same. Limitations for RACES outlined in Part 97.

Why Amateur Radio?

  • "Everyone has a cell phone"
  • "They still make those?"
  • "Bunch of wanna bes"
  • "No training, no structure"
* As we have seen, during emergencies from as trivial as a snowstorm to as devastating as Hurricane Michael, cell phones are the first to fail.

* Not only are Amateur Radio gear still in production, but new equipment is also released yearly to keep up with trends and technology changes.

* Most Amateur Radio operators want to serve their community. Many are active duty/retired military, former communications specialists, or other first responders. Many choose ARES to help, not to be first responders.

* ARES must undergo the same training as specified by PWC, Manassas, Manassas Park, related to NIMS and other EOC interface training. All required training is listed on the PWCARES website.

Training

  • IS Classes (700, 800, 100, 200)
  • Several have ICS-300/400
  • Train 6 months/year minimum
  • ICS 213 and Radiograms
  • Getting the message through
  • Building ad-hoc networks
* Required ICS courses

* Optional ICS courses.

* Regular cadre training, not including outside exercises and workshops

* How we train and what we use.
Photo by ITU Pictures

Existing Networks

  • National Traffic System
  • Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS)
  • WinLink
  • AREDN
Photo by jairoagua

Ad-HOC Networks

  • Voice Networks
  • Digital Networks

Who we support

  • Prince William County
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Service Authority
  • Novant & Sentara Hospital Systems
  • Red Cross & Salvation Army
  • Marine Corps Marathon Program Office
  • VOAD
  • Anyone who asks for our help
* MOUs with Prince William County & the Prince William County Service Authority

* Formal support of the cities

* Formal support of the Hospitals

* National Level MOUs with Red Cross and Salvation Army and the VOAD

* Formal support with the MCMProgram Office


Prince William County ARES

  • 40 trained communications professionals.
  • Support ESF 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15.
  • Radios and Antennas at PWC EOC, Novant. Sentara
  • Antennas at Manassas City
* PWCARES is a trained cadre of 40 operators, with another 20 availble.

* Support ESFs in the event of an emergency

* Radios and Antennas in place at the PWC EOC, Novant Prince William, and Sentara Potomac

* Antenna up at Manassas City.

When All Else Fails...

David Lane

Haiku Deck Pro User