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Panola County Amateur Radio Club, Inc. |
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ARES and Emergency Communications |
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The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) consists of licensed amateur radio operators who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur operator, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur radio service, only Amateur Radio Operators are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
Appointed on February 14, 2007, Panola County Emergency Coordinator Ken Skinner N5OW works hard to insure the ARES program serves the area sufficiently and efficiently. Future plans include:
· Creating an Emergency Communications room with at least one radio station capable of operating HF, VHF, and UHF, and preferably located near the county EOC.
· Creating a complete digital operating system for Winlink and possibly APRS, with possibility of adding stations in the Sheriff's Office, Police Department, ETMC Carthage, and other places as deemed necessary.
· Planning and implementing drills, whether hands on or table top, to train ARES operators and refresh skills.
· Establishing a working relationship with the surrounding counties and parishes that border Panola County to make the ARES program stronger in East Texas and Northwest Louisiana.
Helpful Links:
Panola County ARES® Emergency Communications Plan
North Texas Section Map
North Texas District 10 Map
Coming Soon
Local Emergency Coordinators Contact List
For more information, please visit these sites:
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
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