Green County
ARES/RACES
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)
Why HAM Radio?
Ham radio operators have experimented with and advanced the radio art since the beginning of radio.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established Part 97 of their rules “to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles:
(a) 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. ...
(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians and electronics experts. Ham radio operators have their own equipment and frequencies that can supplement those of public service agencies in time of need.
ARES – What is It?
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) was created in 1935 by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to provide any type of radio communications support to public service agencies such as the Red Cross and the National Weather Service (NWS). Charity events, such as runs and bike rides, serve to hone skills that are needed for emergency communications.
RACES – What is It?
Established by the FCC in 1952, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) provides communications to government agencies in times of need. RACES is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). RACES operators meet and train regularly with government officials so that they can be an effective part of an emergency response.
ARES/RACES in Wisconsin are the same organization and are both NIMS and ICS compliant.
Who Can Participate?
Any FCC licensed amateur radio operator, consistent with the privileges of your license may participate.
All members must be registered. Please contact the Green County Emergency Coordinator, Chuck Christison, KB9WZM at kb9wzm@gmail.com for membership information and forms.
Members are expected to demonstrate that they are capable of effective response by:
> Taking the Introduction to Incident Command System, FEMA IS-100 course
> Taking the National Incident Management System, FEMA IS-700 course
(Click on the FEMA/NIMS INFO button above for course info and online testing)
> Participating in at least 12 training nets annually (Expexted but not required)
> Participate in at least one activation a year, such as SKYWARN, public service or drill
> Attend at least one in-person meeting annually (Expexted but not required)
> Contribute to the team
> Attend SKYWARN training biannually
> Sending at least one (simulated) National Traffic System radiogram
(A background check may be required to serve in some facilities.)
Green County Emergency Coordinator: Chuck Christison - KB9WZM
Assistant Emergency Coordinator: Scott Feldt - KC9YI
ARES/RACES net Sunday nights at 7:30 PM. 145.110 MHz.
Net Control is Scott - KC9YI
WEM Warning & Communications
Wisconsin Emergency Management has a variety of communications equipment located in our State Emergency Operation Center (EOC) at Madison including the National Warning System (NAWAS). NAWAS is the primary means of sharing warning information for severe weather activity and any other critical information. In Wisconsin, all five National Weather Service offices and all seven State Patrol District Communications Centers have NAWAS. In addition, 28 counties have NAWAS terminals in their 9-1-1 dispatch center. Those counties not equipped with NAWAS receive relay either from a State Patrol District office or neighboring county.
NAWAS is a two-way voice circuit with open line and is a "party line" system so any call is heard by all 48 Wisconsin points simultaneously. This facilitates a sharing of information throughout the state.
WEM also has the capability to activate Wisconsin ARES/RACES amateur radio volunteers to provide backup radio communications. Volunteers provide countless hours testing equipment in the WEM Radio Room and stand ready to provide communications should primary communications fail.
In addition, Wisconsin Emergency Management has a Mobile Command Center that can be taken anywhere in the State to provide communications for emergency relief efforts.
Click the map above to open the Green County road map.
A PDF file reader is required.
This may load slowly depending on your connection speed. This is a printable map.
Vehicle magnets like the above image are now available for use on your vehicle during an ARES/RACES event/activation.
The size is 12 x 18 at a price for $9.00 each.
Contact KO9LR to order.
Price is subject to change.
