Amateur Radio Youth Association

 
       Public service communication has been a traditional responsibility of the Amateur Radio Service since 1913. In today's Amateur Radio, disaster work is a highly organized and worthwhile part of day-to-day operation, implemented principally through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the National Traffic System (NTS), both sponsored by ARRL. The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), independent nets and other amateur public service groups are also a part of ARRL-recognized Amateur Radio public service efforts.
        The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.

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Colorado ARES

What is ARES?

• ARES is part of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the largest amateur radio advocacy and fraternal organization in the United States. Today, ARES provides the organization and guidance to help amateur radio operators to establish a local emergency communications group. Emergency Coordinators work with local government agencies such as police, fire, sheriff, search and rescue and offices of emergency management to determine what emergency communications needs may exist.

• Colorado ARES is divided into 29 districts. Not all are active. Each active district will have a local Emergency Coordinator who will work to understand the local community's needs, and organize resources to maintain a level of emergency preparedness.

• Although the primary purpose of ARES is to provide emergency communications, ARES members also routinely provide non-business communications support to other public events.

• For more information about ARES, read some of these articles:
  • ARRL Background Paper: Amateur Radio Emergency Communication
  • ARRL Background Paper: Using Amateur Radio in an Emergency

  Don't forget to visit our Links for some other interesting links, and to visit our Library to see what our people are doing in Colorado.

COLORADO ARES WEBSITE

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For more information about ARES please e-mail questions to webmaster(at)ke5rpv.org.

ARES Logo and Name are Copyright 2009 to the ARRL. www.arrl.org