ARR (What Do I Need?)

ARR stands for Amateur Radio Resource.  In short, what do I need as an operator to be a successful and meaningful asset to support the function that I am to serve.

A short list of ARRs are displayed here that are part of the core of what is required of the operators participating in the Plano Balloon Festival, amongst others.

A more in depth look at the additional ARRs can be found courtesy of John Galvin-N5TIM on the CollinARES website.  

A printable copy of the ARR checklist may be found here.

PBF Operator's ARR

*  Strongly encouraged as you are able to monitor outside of your vehicle

** Some units are available as loaners

Amateur Radio Resource S - (Shadow | VHF/UHF) 

ARR-S identifies the function and basic amateur radio equipment for operation of as a “foot mobile” station 

while shadowing an event or incident official.  

• • Hand-held, 2 Meter (2M/70Cm Recommended) FM synthesized transceiver with programmable CTCSS, 2.5  watts minimum output  

  • Earphone or Headset attachment (VOX disabled)  

  • Adapter cable/bracket or magnetic mount antenna for temporary vehicle duty with shadow   

Amateur Radio Resource B - (Base | VHF/UHF) 

ARR-B identifies the function and basic amateur radio equipment for portable operation as Base, Rest Stop, 

Shelter, Net Control, etc. or fixed location station. 

• • 2 Meter (2M/70Cm Recommended) Transceiver with programmable CTCSS, 25 watts minimum  output (HT+amplifier combination is a viable alternative) 

  • Gain antenna (dual band recommended) with mast and support, 25' minimum coax cable with PL259 connectors, PL258 coupler (Additional 25’ or longer RG8X or better coax cable recommended) 

  • External speaker with 1/8" phone plug and/or earphones or headset attachment with VOX disabled 

Amateur Radio Resource M - (Mobile | VHF/UHF) 

ARR-M identifies the function and basic amateur radio equipment for mobile operation as a station in a 

moving vehicle such as a car, truck, van, aircraft, boat or bus.  

• • 2 Meter (2M/70Cm Recommended) Transceiver with programmable CTCSS, 25 watts minimum output (HT+amplifier combination is a viable alternative) 

  • Gain antenna (dual band recommended) with magnetic base with 15' of coax cable with PL259 connector 

  • External speaker with 1/8" phone plug and/or earphones or headset attachment with VOX disabled  

Amateur Radio Resource DT - (Data – Resource Tracking| VHF/UHF)

ARR-DT identifies amateur radio equipment used for tracking of a mobile asset or other resource as requested by 

event or incident officials for display with CRF-DA equipment. 

• • Self contained pre-packaged portable equipment unit containing transceiver, antenna, Global Positioning 

  • Satellite (GPS) unit, APRS tracking encoder, power unit, and necessary external cabling 

Amateur Radio Resource DA - (Data - APRS Operations | VHF/UHF) 

ARR-DA identifies the function and basic amateur radio equipment for operation as an Automatic Positioning/Packet Reporting System providing the event or incident official(s) with a "view" of resource positions in real time along with short messaging capability. 

• • CRF-B resource equipment  

  • Terminal Node Controller (TNC) with necessary cables, accessories, and documentation 

  • Computer (laptop or other) suitable for portable operations and running mission applicable amateur radio software  – (Printer, printing supplies and AC adapter recommended) 

  • Software: APRS with digipeating capability

Amateur Radio Resource DN - (Data Networking | UHF) 

ARR-DN identifies basic equipment for a field deployable 802.nna resource providing a wireless node(s) in support of event or incident communications. Equipment should be capable of operating on +12vDC. 

• • Self contained "802.11 repeater" unit functioning as a Bridge/Router/Access Point including antenna  

  • Minimum of 50' Cat 5 cable and POE interface 

  • Wired/wireless access point unit. 

  • Associated networking support equipment (Mast, aiming device, CAT5 cable, jumpers, etc.) 

Source:  Amateur Radio Resource Guide