Colorado ARES
Training Resources


Last Update 07/01/2007

This page summarizes the training resources available for Colorado Section ARES. Periodic updates to this page will be made as additional classes or information becomes available.

As you train, ask yourself this question:
Do I have one hundred hours of experience, or simply that first hour of experience repeated one hundred times? This is important if you have not trained recently because most of us forget material unless we use it regularly.


Web Pages Available:

Emergency Communication source material, developed for the ARRL's Continuing Education course, is the Section training standard. The ARRL used a subset of this information in building the Level I and Level II Certifications.

Full ECom Study Information
All ECom material. This is Release 5.4 condensed material. These are now all PDFs.

ECom Introduction
If you are not able to study the full set of ECom material then the ECom Introduction PDF will provide you with the information you really need, to function as a beginning ECom operator.

People have asked for a "road map" for ECom training. The easiest one is to take the subjects below, in sequence.

Basic training
Basic training for each Colorado Section ARES member and is now known as ARESCO-ECom.

ECom Testing
ECom testing is available for the Colorado Section. All testing, Basic through EC, is from this same link.

ECom Test results - All levels. Note: Successful completions ONLY.

You may take the tests at any time after you have completed reading the material.

Please note: The single most important hint for those that test is: "think like you are a Ham in a beginning communications class". Many people have missed 5 to 10% of their questions by attempting to out think themselves, i.e., extrapolating out to some obscure example before they answer the question.

Please understand that there are two questions on attitude that are mandatory. If you miss either of those you will need to retake the test. If you get both of them correct, you can miss many more than two (actually 19 total) and still pass the tests.

NCS and Liaison ECom NCS material

Digital Skills
These are the recommended Digital Skills for HF and VHF operators.

For those new to digital operation there is a TNCs page with information about TNCs that are most useful for heavy duty data transfer. This also includes information about plug wiring, cables and a bit of information on some of the software that is available.

Packet Cluster Operation
Packet Clusters require different techniques then regular Packet operation. Those differences are noted in this procedure from KDØRC.

COPLAN
The updated COPLAN explains how the various groups in Colorado ECom "play together". This details how each group is expected to interact with other groups.

Useful Lists
There are several "lists" that will be very handy for your use:

EC Training Colorado Section EC Training. This is a re-hash of much of the ARRL's materials but in one document. It also contains those items that are unique to Colorado.


Class Resources Available:

National Traffic System (NTS) On-The-Air Class Available! Contact Jeff Ryan KØRM. Jeff, along with Mike Stansberry, KØTER, conducted an NTS class early in 1996. For a videotaped copy of that class contact Tim Armagost, WBØTUB.

In addition, Jeff also produced an on-the-air NTS class, presented on the Southern Colorado Traffic Net for a five-day period. The class was very informative for first-time traffic handlers, and was an excellent refresher course for seasoned traffic handlers. That class is now available for downloading via this web page. It's presented in five separate files which can be printed from your web browser.
View the National Traffic System (NTS) class.

Skywarn More detailed information about Skywarn and the people you should talk to about Skywarn can be found in the Weather page of this site.

New To Digital Net
New to (HF) Digital net is run on the second and forth Sundays at 08:30L on 3.590 MHz - ON REQUEST. The NTD net will be run for anyone that would like an introduction to HF digital operation. Contact Pat, WØIPL if you would like some sessions with the NTD net.


Training Resources Available from Other Sources

Being an Effective EC
The ARRL has a course for ECs on how to be an effective emergency coordinator. They offer books and a self-study course, with an examination. Passing the exam results in issuing you a certification for the EC training.

Incident Command System (ICS)
There are self-study and class room courses available on the ICS. You may contact your local emergency management office or your local Emergency Coordinator (EC) for availability of these courses.

National Incident Management System (NIMS) The Department of Homeland Security has mandated use of ICS and its follow-on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) by fiscal year end 2005 for any entity seeking federal money. If your served agency has not yet started with NIMS, they will very soon.

National Response Plan (NRP) IS-800
The National Response Plan (NRP) is the latest in "suggested" course material we need to know about. It is available via the FEMA link below.

Self Paced Emergency Management Course

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a number of independent study courses designed to educate you in some of the basic principles of emergency management. Course titles include Emergency Program Manager (IS-1), Emergency Preparedness (IS-2), Radiological Emergency Management (IS-3), Hazardous Materials (IS-5), Disaster Assistance (IS-7) as well as some other courses on disaster exercises, preparedness and response, and earthquakes. Most of these courses include reading a book on the subject and answering an exam. You're issued a certificate of completion and if you desire, for a fee you can get college credit for these courses. If you're interested in getting started in these courses, contact FEMA at: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp

Possible Subjects for Additional Training Classes

Please contact KØHBZ with suggestions.
KØHBZ at ARRL dot NET