INFORMATION FOR ARES VOLUNTEERS

WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER

• Be certain that you, your family, and your property are safe.

• Determine if you have a job or other needs that will require your presence.

• Consider how long you can volunteer, and if you can be deployed.

• Monitor the 145.210 repeater & Check-in to the ARES NET on Wed nights @ 20:00 hrs local time.

• Follow the instructions you receive from the EC, DEC, SEC, or other ARES official.

 WHAT TO DO IF CALLED

• Be prepared to operate.  Check all equipment, connections, and power supplies.

• Check into the appropriate net.  Deploy to the assignment with your “Ready” kit.

• Obtain a tactical call sign, if appropriate.

• Open a personal event log.

• Use the log to record messages handled.

• Monitor the assigned frequency

READY/JUMP KITS

   VHF (short term-3 hours)

• 2-meter radio (with operator’s manual); [dual band radio is preferred]

• Extra batteries/power supply

• Antenna(s) w/extra coax and connectors [Gain antenna]

• Headset

• Paper/pen/pencil

• License

• ID cards

• Flashlight

• Appropriate clothing

• Food and water

   VHF (up to 8 hours)

• All of the above

• Extra batteries or other source of power such as a deep cycle battery w/cables and connectors

   HF

• HF radio w/power cables/mike/manual

• Headset

• 50 feet of coax

• Dipole and/or mobile antenna

• Rope/ sinker

• Antenna tuner (if needed)

• Deep cycle battery

• Paper/pen

• License

• ID card

• Flashlight

RELEVANT FREQUENCIES

   Repeaters

• Primary call up 145.210

• Alternate call up (in order of preference)

• 146.6.25

• 146.700 (Duval County)

• 146.445 Simplex for St Johns County

   Simplex Frequencies

• 146.52 National Call

• 146.445 St Johns County Simplex ARES

• 146.415 Duval County Simplex ARES

   HF

• NFL ARES NET 3.950 (Primary); 7.254 (alternate)

• St Johns ARES  3.940 (Day) & 7.240 (Night)

• DIGITAL

• SEDAN 145.77 (Packet)

• National Hurricane Center Net 14.325

CALL UP PREAMBLE

Any ARES station can call an emergency net.  No magic words are necessary, but here is one suggested preamble that can be used:

This is <your call>...Attention all stations on frequency.  Please stand by for EMERGENCY traffic.  Attention all stations on frequency.  Please stand by for emergency traffic. This is an EMERGENCY.  This is <your call>.

Wait 5-10 seconds.

Net operations

Attention all stations on frequency.  This is <your call>, net control station for the ST. Johns County ARES Net.  This is an EMERGENCY.  This is a directed net.  All stations not connected with the emergency are asked to please stand by.  All member stations are asked to stay on frequency until the close of the net.  When you check in please give your availability.

The <requesting agency> has requested the services of the St. Johns County ARES.  (Give a brief description of the EMERGENCY).  Stations desiring to participate will please check in now.

Station check-ins follow

OPERATING GUIDANCE

• Listen.  Listen.  Listen.
• Upon arrival at your station, check in with the person in charge and let them know who you are and what you are to do.  Find out where you are to set up.  If you are relieving another operator, obviously check in with him.  If possible arrive 15-30 minutes early to ensure a smooth transition.  Once you are settled in, check into the net and let net control know that you are on station.
• Monitor the assigned frequency at all times.  If you must leave for a break, let the net control station know.  Also let them know when you return.

CONTACT INFORMATION

       St. Johns County ARES Emergency Coordinator
       Alan Jones (W4LGH) 904.825.4015 (h) 904.823.9669 (w) 904.669.4066 (Emergency Only!)
       w4lgh@arrl.net  

       St. Johns County ARES AEC /Shelter Management

       Ron Larsen (W9QGB) ron@aug.com

       St. Johns County ARES AEC / ADMIN

       Doug Wiles (WF4B)  wf4b@bellsouth.net

       St. Johns County ARES AEC / SKYWARN

       OPEN - Need Volunteer

       St. Johns County ARES NET Operations

       (Will rotate between SJ ARES AEC's)