Equipment

Equipment Requirements

1. Category C Responders:
   • License requirement: Technician Class or higher

   • Mobile/Portable Equipment Requirements*
     1. High Power VHF/UHF mobile (min. 25 watt, crossband capability recommended)
     2. Ability to remote a full-power VHF/UHF station including external antenna (min. 200 ft. coax) and be able to power both grid and emergency (100 ft. emergency power extension).
     3. VHF/UHF dual-band mag mount antenna
     4. Ability to quickly transfer mobile radio & antenna to another vehicle

   • HT communications equipment*
     1. 5 watt minimum HT (or HTs) providing VHF/UHF capability
     2. Speaker Mic
     3. Headset or Earphone (absolutely no VOX)
     4. Batteries: 24 hour operational capacity
     5. Ability to recharge HT batteries from 12vdc non-grid source
     6. 10'-18' Coax Jumper, appropriate SO-239 Adapter(s)

   • Emergency power capability* (at least two of the following)
     1. Generator
     2. Fully-charged portable battery system
     3. Cables & adapters to utilize vehicle 12vdc system to power a portable station up to 100' away
     4. Solar power system

   • Uniform and Identification Requirements
     1. ARES ID or Colorado Division of Emergency Management (CDEM) RACES ID
     2. DRT name and callsign badge (available from The Sign Man of Baton Rouge)
     3. Uniform Clothing
        1. Shirts/Trousers (Shirt available here)
           • Agency deployment: forest green shirt and black pants or black jeans
           • Field deployment: forest green shirt and black or blue jeans
           • Jeans must be in good condition
        2. Fluorescent orange reflective safety vest
        3. Appropriate seasonal clothing
           1. FTR - 7 days minimum
           2. LTR - 3 days minimum
   • Field Equipment (shelter and life skills)
     1. Shelter (RV, camper, tent, etc.)
     2. Sleeping bag, air mattress, cot, etc.
     3. Cooler(s) & food storage containers
     4. Cooking and food preparation equipment
     5. Emergency lighting (Coleman lanterns, etc.)
     6. Basic camping equipment for prolonged field operation

2. Category B Responders-- All Level C requirements, plus:
   • License Class: General Class or higher

   • Mobile/Portable VHF Packet equipment*
     1. Terminal Node Controller (TNC)
     2. Laptop Computer
        • 12vdc-capable portable printer highly recommended
     3. Appropriate terminal software
     4. Necessary cabling for power & interface

   • Demonstrated ability to effectively use:
     1. HF equipment & antenna systems
     2. Portable and field setups/operations
     3. HF operational procedures and protocols
     4. Traffic handling knowledge/skills, including
        • ICS-213 General Message Form
        • ARRL Radiogram Forms (NTS)

3. Category A Responders -- All Level C & B requirements, plus:
   • License class: General Class or higher

   • Provide complete field-capable HF/VHF/UHF station*, including:
     1. HF/VHF/UHF transceivers
     2. HF antenna tuner
     3. Portable antennas & support systems
        1. Appropriate antennas
        2. Portable masting
        3. Support hardware (guy ropes, stakes, etc.)
        4. Feedline and essential accessories
     4. HF digital equipment
        1. Multi-mode TNC (must run Pactor I, minimum)
        2. Appropriate software (WinPack, Airmail, etc.)
        3. Necessary cables and accessories
           • Demonstrated ability to operate HF digital modes (RTTY, AMTOR, PACTOR)
     5. Portable emergency power*
        • Power system capable of sustaining HF/VHF/UHF operations on 24-hour/day basis.
          • Generator with spare fuel cans (3 minimum)