ARES Net

Calling all Saint Mary’s County Hams:
I am contacting amateurs in the area for the purpose of re-organizing/increasing membership in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES).

The Federal Communications Commission recognizes the capability of Amateur Radio by stating its “recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.”

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsors the ARES, which provides emergency communications in time of need. Granted, most amateurs can provide some type of communications during a disaster, but ARES helps our response through training and practicing the skills that will become necessary to be truly effective.

You need not be a member of ARRL to belong to ARES. You don’t have to spend any money or have any special equipment. You don’t have to spend every other weekend training for a disaster. You only have to dedicate as much spare time as you want to public service.

I am establishing a weekly net for the purposes of training and information sharing. I have chosen the KC3FOQ repeater at the fairgrounds in Leonardtown due to the wide-area coverage, Yaesu Fusion capabilities, and tie to St Mary’s County (who sponsored installation of the UHF & VHF repeaters). The inaugural net will be on Monday, February 20th at 7pm EST.

I invite you all to check into our ARES net which meets at 1900L each Monday on the KC3FOQ repeater; 147.390 (+) T 123.0.