ARES:  When All Else Fails

During emergencies, when the communications channels we ordinarily rely on may fail, amateur radio operators or “hams” use their skills, training and equipment to provide communications.

A ham can set up an amateur radio station almost anywhere, in minutes, raising a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connecting it to a radio and power source, and communicate across town or across the country.

ARES, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, consists of licensed amateurs who have volunteered to work with local first responder and community members to provide public service communications duty when disaster strikes.

Membership

Every licensed amateur is eligible to apply for membership in ARES. Because ARES is an Amateur Radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible for membership. There is no fee for membership.

ARES NW meets on the first Saturday of each month, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., usually at Valley Presbyterian Hospital, 15107 Vanowen Street in Van Nuys. You are welcome to attend any meeting without pre-registering.