Wyoming County ARES/RACES

What is ARES®?

"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." ~ Public Service Communications Manual (PSCM)

What is RACES?

"RACES, administered by local, county and state emergency management agencies, and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the United States government, is a part of the Amateur Radio Service that provides radio communications for civil-preparedness purposes only, during periods of local, regional or national civil emergencies." ~ Public Service Communications Manual (PCSM)

What is the difference between ARES® and RACES?

"ARES is activated before, during and after an emergency. Generally, ARES handles all emergency messages, including those between government emergency management officials. RACES, on the other hand, almost never starts before an emergency and is active only during the emergency and during the immediate aftermath if government emergency management offices need communications support. RACES is normally shut down shortly after the emergency has cleared." ~ ARES® vs RACES FAQ

How does Wyoming County ARES/RACES communicate?

Wyoming County ARES/ RACES monitors the KC2QNX 147.315/443.625 MHz repeater and the N2FQN 147.105 MHz repeater as an alternate frequency for activations and nets. All the repeaters have a PL of 141.3 and are located in Wethersfield, NY, near the center of Wyoming County.

What events are coming?

Every Saturday at 12 PM local time — Wyoming County ARES Net on the 147.315/443.625 MHz repeater with a PL of 141.3

Is there important information for Wyoming County ARES/RACES members?

ARES/RACES Members are highly encouraged to have a copy of the following documents:

Net Control Preamble — Word / PDF (rev. 3/13)

Phonetic Alphabet — Word / Excel / PDF

Tactical Call Signs — Word / PDF (rev. 1/07) ~ ARRL Emergency Communication Handbook

Wyoming County Emergency Frequencies — Word / PDF (rev. 9/16)

ARRL VHF/UHF Band Plan PDF

(Word in .docx format - Excel in .xlsx format & PDF files require Adobe Reader®)

Members are encouraged to sign up for alerts from:

New York Alerts - receive warnings and emergency information via cell phone, E-mail and other technologies (Highly Recommended)