Scioto County Amateur Radio Emergency Services

Scioto EOC downtown Portsmouth Weather Station

Amateur Radio Emergency Services (A.R.E.S.)

Amateur Radio operators also help provide emergency communications, and handle

messages for Emergency Management Officials, police and various public service

organizations during emergencies such as traffic accidents, search & rescues,

fires & chemical spills, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes & earthquakes. And we've been serving our communities for Seventy Five Years!

Amateur Radio Operators are your neighbors and friends!

And our reach is around the world!

Amateur Radio (often referred as Ham Radio), is a exciting high-tech hobby that offers something fun for everyone. Regardless of age, gender or physical ability, virtually anyone can become a Amateur Radio operator.

Amateur Radio Operators come from all walks of life. This is one hobby where you can find students, teachers, mechanics, engineers, doctors, scientists, and even astronauts exchanging ideas and experiences with each other, and sharing in the enjoyment of Amateur Radio activities.

Amateur Radio operators communicate by two-way radios from just about anywhere. They talk from their homes, work, cars, boats and outdoors to other ham operators around the world. Some operators communicate by voice, while others communicate by Morse code or computers.

Many ham operators enjoy building their own radios, antennas, and various electronic projects. They share their expertise and knowledge with fellow hams and those with a common interest in communications and electronics.

In addition to voice and Morse code, ham radio operators also communicate with each other by transmitting television pictures.

In the United States, there are three Amateur Radio class licenses. These licenses are granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). For beginners, the most popular license is the Technician Class license,

examination. Under the Technician Class, you can operate all ham radio bands above 30 Megahertz (MHz). Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (using computers), television, single-sideband voice, and even satellites. To earn a Technician license, you'll need to pass multiple-choice written exams. These exams cover radio operating practices, FCC rules, and basic electrical theory.

Ham Radio operators also use computers to control or communicate through their radios. Computers are also used to log the call signs and locations of their radio contacts.

Amateur Radio is by no means limited to the the confines of the earth. Ham radio operators use satellites to communicate with other hams all around the world. They have even chatted with ham astronauts aboard the the space shuttle, the former Russian space station MIR and the International Space Station (ISS).

The General & Amateur Extra Class licenses allows you to communicate using voice, Morse code or computers To earn a General or Amateur Extra license, you'll need to pass a written exam. Operating privileges include FM voice, digital packet, and single-sideband voice. General & Amateur Extra operators may also use many other popular shortwave frequencies (below 30 MHz) to communicate worldwide using Morse code.

Taking the first step to become a Amateur Radio operator is easy. Once licensed, you can be an invaluable volunteer for your community by becoming part of ARES. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. You'll find that there are many hams eager to answer your questions and help you get your first start in Amateur Radio. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) can provide invaluable information about Amateur Radio. The ARRL publishes popular ham radio license study guides to help you learn the things you'll need to pass your Amateur Radio exam. The site link is http://www.arrl.org/ .

The ARES consists of Federally licensed Amateur Radio Operators who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communication duty in the public service when disaster strikes pursuant to Federal Communications Commission Rule 97.1 (a) which states that a “Fundamental Purpose” of the amateur radio service is: “Recognition and Enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary non-commercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.”

The Amateur Radio Relay League, Inc. , comprising more than 100,000 radio amateurs in the U.S., sponsors the ARRL Field Organization. More than 25,000 amateurs are registered as members of this National Field Organization which is divided into 73 geographical sections. The ARES is one segment of the ARRL’s commitment to serving the public in time of need. Local ARES groups are established components with ARES.

THE ARRL Scioto County, Ohio Region (8) Leadership within ARES is exercised by the Section Emergency Coordinator (appointed by the elected ARRL Section Manager), with the Section Emergency Coordinator appointing District Emergency Coordinators and Emergency Coordinators within the section.

The local Emergency Coordinator is the key person within the ARRL Field Organization to provide an ARES response in a given locale. Chris Kemper KB8IIH is the Scioto County Emergency Coordinator for ARES in District 8 of the Ohio Amateur Radio Emergency Services Program. The Scioto County ARES Net is called each Monday at 7:30 PM on 145.45 with PL Code 114.8, the local ARES Repeater.

Anyone interested in becoming an amateur radio operator and helping to provide emergency communications between critical facilities and agencies in a disaster can contact Scioto County Amateur Radio Emergency Services at sciotoares@gmail.com . If you are already licensed and desire to serve with the Scioto County ARES Organization, check in to the network on Mondays.

Scioto County Emergency Management Agency has a written communication plan that utilizes Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteers for back up communications should primary links between critical facilities and agencies occur in an emergency or crisis. A written Memorandum of Understanding is in place with the ARES Organization for use of amateur radio operators in Scioto County. State of the Art Equipment has been provided by Homeland Security Grants for the purpose of ensuring that vital communications are in place when an emergency occurs.

Tune In. Test and Tune In. Become a part of a exclusive team of radio volunteers who make Scioto County a safer place to live and raise a family! Amateur Radio Operators are a key player on the Emergency Management Team for Scioto County. Agree to put back into your community to make it a better place. And the best part is that once you have your license, you can talk around the world to interesting people who share a hobby with you.

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY ARES PROGRAM TODAY!

Email us at sciotoares@gmail.com or message us on our Facebook Page.