In Brief ...

Colorado Section Manager Elect Jack Ciaccia, WMØG, announces the appointment of Robert Wareham, NØESQ as Colorado Section Emergency Coordinator, effective October 1, 2011. See press release 110803_announcement.pdf

Changes to District Ø Announced: A.R.E.S. District Ø has been dissolved, effective immediately, according to Colorado Section Emergency Coordinator David Markham. In explaining the rationale for the dissolution Markham acknowledged that the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) has historically drawn on its local districts for manpower and technical expertise.

Read the entire press release here: District Ø Changes

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"525" Repeater System

EmComm Colorado Inc. (EmComm) is an organization formed in response to a perceived need for reliable short-range 2-way communications in support of emergency communications, sometimes referred to as “emcomm”. This support of emcomm needed to be without reliance on various other, or “club” repeaters in north central Colorado. Acquisition and implementation of the 447.525 repeaters, also known as the “525 repeaters” was the first project undertaken by EmComm Colorado Inc. to fill this need.

These repeaters are dedicated to EmComm use and are governed by specific rules and guidelines. These can be found in this tri-fold pamphlet: EmCom Trifold.pdf

     What is ARES?

• ARES is part of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the largest amateur radio advocacy and fraternal organization in the United States. Today, ARES provides the organization and guidance to help amateur radio operators to establish a local emergency communications group. Emergency Coordinators work with local government agencies such as police, fire, sheriff, search and rescue and offices of emergency management to determine what emergency communications needs may exist.

• Colorado ARES is divided into 29 districts. Not all are active. Each active district will have a local Emergency Coordinator who will work to understand the local community's needs, and organize resources to maintain a level of emergency preparedness.

• Although the primary purpose of ARES is to provide emergency communications, ARES members also routinely provide non-business communications support to other public events.

• For more information about ARES, read some of these articles:
  • ARRL Background Paper: Amateur Radio Emergency Communication
  • ARRL Background Paper: Using Amateur Radio in an Emergency

  Don't forget to visit our Links for some other interesting links, and to visit our Library to see what our people are doing in Colorado.

     Are You an OES Yet?

• An OES you ask? An Official Emergency Station is an amateur radio station that meets the criteria outlined by the ARRL and sets a high standard of emergency preparedness and operating. Basically, this is a person that has made a commitment to be the best he or she can be when it comes to being prepared for an emergency. An OES is appointed by the SEC or the Section Manager. For more details on the OES appointment, read the ARRL file on the subject, or contact your EC.

Questions About Amateur Radio in General?

• Perhaps you're still a little too new to amateur radio, or maybe you've only heard about amateur radio, and want to find out how you can get licensed. Unfortunately, there's too much to amateur radio for us to go too far in depth at this web site. However, there are many web sites which have some great information to help anyone, at any age, with any background, to help you learn more about this fantastic hobby. Visit some of these sites and see what you've been missing!

• Basics of Ham Radio
• American Radio Relay League