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The ARES(R) Letter
[https://www.arrl.org/ares]


Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE [ mailto:k1ce@arrl.net ] - March 19, 2025

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In This Issue:
Γ-óARES(R) Briefs
Γ-óARES LAX Northeast (LAXNORTHEAST) and Friends Invite All Amateur Radio Operators to Participate in 2025 Tsunami Exercise
Γ-óClub Gets It Going at Northern Florida's Tour de Felasco
Γ-óLetters: POTA(R) and EmComm
Γ-óEditorial: On Recruitment
Γ-óNational Hurricane Center Station Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R, is 2025 Hamvention(R) Special Achievement Award Recipient
Γ-óWX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center
Γ-óCall for QST Articles for the July 2025 Special Issue on EmComm
Γ-óK1CE For a Final: See you at Hamvention(R)
Γ-óARES(R) Resources
Γ-óSupport ARES(R): Join ARRL

ARES(R) Briefs

The 2025 National Hurricane Conference [ https://hurricanemeeting.com/ ] will be held next month, April 14-17, at the Hilton Riverside Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana. The event's long-running Amateur Radio Workshop will be conducted on Tuesday, April 15,
from 1:30 to 5 PM. Watch a video of the amateur radio workshops [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-43X6wVrqwA ] at the 2024 National Hurricane Conference, courtesy of Jim Palmer, KB1KQW.

Hurricane Watch Net founder Gerald E. "Gerry" Murphy, K8UYW, passed away on February 25, 2025, at age 88. In 1965, Murphy, then 28 years old, was stationed at the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Center in Davisville, Rhode Island. During his
time off, he handled countless phone patches and messages to and from military-deployed personnel as a member of the Intercontinental Amateur Radio Net (IARN) on 14.320 MHz.Γ-"Hurricane Watch Net manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV

Dayton Hamvention(R) is coming up fast, on May 16-18. EmComm vehicle owners/operators will showcase/demonstrate their units. Emergency communications groups are invited to display their communications trailers, vans and trucks or other displays. There
are many groups that are thinking about building units that would get ideas from the displays. Units should be fully manned, functional and demonstrate their capabilities throughout the show. Organizers encourage teams to have flyers or handouts
describing their unit and its parent organization.

The date for the 2025 Florida statewide AUXCOMM exercise is Saturday, April 12, starting at 0900 ET/0800 CT. Communications teams interested in participating should see the Florida AUXCOMM site [ https://floridaemergency.net/ ] for full details and team
signup. The scenario: Florida is under siege as Cyberstorm unfoldsΓ-"a devastating outbreak of tornadoes wreaks havoc across the state, crippling infrastructure and overwhelming emergency services. As the chaos peaks, a coordinated cyber-attack is
launched, taking down internet and cellular networks statewide. With communications in disarray and panic spreading, emergency responders and amateur radio operators must step up to restore order and relay critical information. This exercise will test
participants' ability to adapt, communicate, and coordinate in the face of simultaneous natural and cyber disasters.

One of the country's leading ARES(R) groups, the Alachua County (Gainesville area), Florida ARES(R) organization, participated in Winter Field Day (WFD) this year, again using the facilities of the large county EOC. The operation was conducted along the
lines of a FEMA exercise, with a written exercise plan produced in the form of an ICS-201 briefing document. Read the briefing document [ https://www.nf4rc.club/historicalexercises/2025-winter-field-day-iap-final/ ] . Earl McDow, K4ZSW, with help from
other volunteers, handled the 2.4 GHz Ubiquiti microwave mesh system, using AREDN networking. "We needed it because we operate two sites, one at the EOC and the other some 250 yards away in a grassy overflow field where the Sheriff graciously allowed us
to place a travel trailer and some antennas," reported Gordon Gibby, KX4Z.

From the FEMA Disaster Emergency Communications newsletter, Vol. 15 Issue 2, January 16-31, 2025: Radio enthusiasts to the rescue in emergency communications (January 25, 2025)--For many participants in the world of amateur radio, the initial draw can

be something like the ability to talk to people from around the world. "It starts as a hobby. You want to talk to somebody because you hear somebody else talking," said local amateur radio enthusiast Ralph Grover (AE0RE). But for a lot of people involved
in amateur radio, also known as ham radio, it's not just for the fun of it. Amateur radio can play an important role in emergency communications, and many people involved with it are here to help. "I've been involved with ham [radio] for about 30 years.
Emergency communications has always been my interest," said Chip Ferron (N0WKR), who is involved with Mesa County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (MCARES) and is coordinator of Region 9, the northwest region of Colorado ARE
S. Read the news item [ https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/radio-enthusiasts-to-rescue-public-plays-role-in-emergency-communications/article_1ff1107e-b7ee-11ef-908d-db75915cf2c4.html ] .

The ARRL San Joaquin Valley Section (SJV) conducted "Perfect Storm," an amateur radio emergency exercise, on March 5-7. Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) Dan Sohn, WL7COO, had asked that a Section-wide exercise be created that would engage both amateur
radio operators and non-amateurs to become more active in their community's emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

There were 120 participants from 9 counties within the SJV Section, including Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne, and two counties outside the Section, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Both amateurs and participants equipped with General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios gathered local situational awareness data. The exercise culminated with a two-hour period during which local groups forwarded their data to a mock Incident Command
Post. At the same time, leaders of the groups were asked to participate in a live "hot wash" on Zoom, where the results were reviewed, and errors could be corrected in real time.

SJV Section Manager Steven Hendricks, KK6JTB, said the Perfect Storm exceeded expectations and SEC Sohn reported the exercise was a resounding success. "We wanted to engage many different organizations and especially young hams," said Hendricks. "It's
important to tap into their excitement and engage them so when a disaster does strike, they can become a vital part of the team." The SVJ Section is now planning to have two exercises every year.

ARES LAX Northeast (LAXNORTHEAST) and Friends Invite All Amateur Radio Operators to Participate in 2025 Tsunami Exercise

Pasadena, CA - March 10, 2025 - LAXNORTHEAST and Friends are pleased to announce the 2025 Tsunami Exercise, a simulated emergency response scenario designed to test and enhance the capabilities of amateur radio operators in disaster situations. This
exercise will take place from March 22 to March 30, 2025, and all licensed amateur radio operators are invited to participate.

The Tsunami Exercise is a collaboration of ARES LAX Northeast [ https://www.laxnortheast.org/ ] , San Diego ARES [ https://www.sdgares.net/ ] , Hawaii ARES [ https://hawaiiares.net/ ] , San Joaquin Valley Section [ https://www.arrl.org/Groups/view/san-
joaquin-valley?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL ] , Whatcom County (WA) ACS/ARES [ https://wcacs.org/ ] , Snohomish County (WA) ACS [ http://www.wa7dem.info/ ] , WLNET-OE [ https://groups.io/g/WLNET-OE/ ] , Winlink Treff and the
Emcomm Training Organization [ https://emcomm-training.org/ ] .

The 2025 Tsunami Exercise will simulate a significant earthquake and subsequent tsunami and flood warnings. Participants will engage in a series of tasks, including logging activities, submitting reports (Did You Feel It?, or DYFI), conducting Winlink
check-ins and check-outs, sending welfare messages, and sharing situational awareness through ICS messages. This exercise will provide valuable experience in using standardized forms and procedures, such as ICS-214, ICS-213, and Winlink templates, to
ensure effective communication and coordination during real-world emergencies.

"This exercise is an opportunity for amateur radio operators to hone their skills and improve their preparedness for disaster situations," said Oliver Dully, K6OLI, one of the exercise organizers. "By participating, you will not only enhance your
individual abilities but also contribute to the overall effectiveness of the amateur radio community in providing critical communication support during emergencies."

The exercise emphasizes using standardized forms and procedures to ensure effective communication and coordination. Participants will simulate responses to a significant earthquake and the subsequent tsunami and flood warnings, testing their ability to
provide critical information and support in a high-stress environment. The exercise aims to improve preparedness, communication skills, and overall effectiveness in emergency situations. Dully said "We encourage all amateur radio operators, regardless of
experience level, to join us in this exercise; it's a chance to learn, practice, and contribute to our community's resilience."

Visit the exercise website [ https://www.laxnortheast.org/exercises/tsunami ] for more information and to get involved, Dully concluded.

ARES(R) Amateur Radio and Public Service
[https://tinyurl.com/2p8d5br2]


Club Gets It Going at Northern Florida's Tour de Felasco

For the second year in a row, the Gainesville (Florida) Amateur Radio Society (GARS) teamed up with hosts of the Tour de Felasco, a large mountain bicycle event set in a remote location without usable cell service and no guaranteed access to repeaters.
The tour benefits care and preservation of the bike trails. The Tour is not a race, but rather an endurance event of 50 or 62 miles through a challenging series of trails comparable to the difficulty level of a hilly century (100 mile) road bicycle route.
It tests bike skills and endurance with rolling hills, short climbs, sinkholes, creek crossings, and log bridges.

It never crosses a paved road, and this is where ham radio comes in. Members of GARS spent hours planning and setting up an off-grid net control station, as well as three other stations along the rough and unpolished trails. Michael Martell, KK4KRZ,
recapped operations at Rest Stop #2: "The station gear we used for 146.550 MHz simplex operation was a battery power supply, an HT with mic in a cup holder, and a 2-meter, 30-watt amplifier. This was connected to a roll up J-pole antenna about 25 feet up
in a pine tree. We used a separate HT to connect with the 146.820 MHz repeater (in a separate cup holder; cup holders are handy)."

GARS event coordinator Kenith Miller, KF4ULO, said that "Communications went smoothly this year; we were able to handle all communications on simplex after throwing a couple of antennas in nearby trees." It was a safe event, with no reported major
injuries. Several times the operators helped vector support staff to stranded riders or others who had to retire early (due to issues such as leg cramps). The day started with temperatures in the low 50s, but as the race went on it got colder and skies
got grayer. The wind became particularly biting. "By the end of the day, everyone was looking forward to going home and getting warm," said Miller. "The sponsors of the event, the Friends of Felasco, were very happy to have GARS participate in the event
and are counting on us to assist again next year." GARS provides something they cannot get otherwise: communication. It is amateur radio doing what it should: providing service while increasing skill sets and having a great time do
ing it! GARS encourages other clubs to seek out similar opportunities. --Barbara Matthews, KO4TWZ

Letters: POTA(R) and EmComm

In re your editorial in last month's issue, you stated: "Think of Parks on the Air (POTA) as a critical training tool for ARES operators who may be tasked with deployment." That is such an important point--there is no substitute for practical experience
with actual operating and it is such a weak link for every emcomm group that I've participated with in my 50+ years. Once out of the drill-and-practice environment, with the usual strong-signal, low-interference comms, the information throughput drops
dramatically. It's painful to listen to at times as operators struggle with the slightest bit of noise or unnecessary repeats. How can we get operators to train their ears?

POTA is a super way to exercise and practice those crucial skills and the field deployment skills, too. Another opportunity that we are missing is to use the VHF contest weekends to practice weak-signal operating--why is ARES not sponsoring a contest-
within-a-contest for emcomm teams to use these operating events as training? Γ-"Ward Silver, N0AX, St.Charles, Missouri

Editorial: On Recruitment

Our group has higher general ham radio operators' participation in public service/training than many. In order to have an ARES group serving the county, you must have a certain level of altruistic--willing to serve others--hams in the county and group.
It can't be everyone just sitting at home depending on an ever-diminishing group "down at the EOC" serving them. It has to be a two-way street. There has to be a sharing of responsibilities. Otherwise, eventually, there won't be anyone "down at the EOC"
to get your call.

Part of that is being willing to join in and be part of the group, the "team," sharing the responsibilities. Over the years, we have had the expected number of hams moving in and out of activity. But there has to be a supply of more hams moving into
activity with the group, learning how things work, understanding and serving at the EOC, deploying to shelters, being involved in our training, and exercises such as the ARRL SET, and Winter and ARRL Field Days.

You have to be "trainable"--willing to learn. Most of the problems in groups stem from difficulties in personal interaction--we have to work at getting along and all these activities are part of that. Time working shoulder to shoulder with others is how
you get to be understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, which we all have. You must be flexible: "Semper Gumby" is an old saying in the ARES community.

Exercises like the Field Days, the annual Simulated Emergency Test and others are chances to get out of the house, and into a group. It can't be all loners--you don't build public service strengths with loners. All of us have tendencies to just want to
be on our own--but that means there won't be anyone at this or that shelter, or at the EOC, etc. Our group always has plenty of empty spots and slots for activity: lots of places for people to plug in, ask for help, get some mentoring, join in the fray!
We have all kinds of people in our group, with all kinds of different ways of serving (which we appreciate) --but in the end, we have to have a team.

And this is how you keep a volunteer public service group going. So, what will be your decision? Join in, or shrink back? The hams in the community basically decide where ham radio "goes" in public service. The professionals simply look to see if we have
volunteers in the needed slots. If we don't--they don't see us as useful. That's obvious and fair. Now it's up to you.--Gordon Gibby, KX4Z

National Hurricane Center Station Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R, is 2025 Hamvention(R) Special Achievement Award Recipient

Julio Ripoll, WD4R, is the winner of this year's Dayton Hamvention(R) Special Achievement Award. Ripoll received his first amateur radio license in 1977. His fascination with hurricanes began in childhood, sparked when Hurricane Betsy in 1965 damaged his
family's home in Miami, Florida, causing water to pour into his bedroom. In 1980, Dr. Neal Frank, then director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC), requested an amateur radio station within the NHC to facilitate communication with the Caribbean
during hurricanes. Julio was chosen for this important task. NHC station W4EHW (now WX4NHC) operators handled their first hurricane that year, and Julio's initial two-year assignment with the NHC has since extended to 45 years, covering over 100
hurricanes.

In 2010, shortly after the Haiti earthquake, Ripoll was tasked with setting up and managing operations between the University of Miami (UM) Hospital in Florida and the UM field hospital in Haiti. He swiftly coordinated with US and Haitian officials,
organizing a team of amateur radio operators from across the US to run HH2/WX4NHC in Haiti. Beyond the field hospital, the team provided vital communication links to the US Navy hospital ship Comfort, facilitating helicopter and speed-boat patient
transfers that saved many lives. Julio and his team's use of amateur radio in public service demonstrated significant merit, earning high regard for amateur radio capabilities.

WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center

Amateur Radio station WX4NHC is located at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida. The station has been totally assembled from donated equipment and is operated by an organized group of volunteer amateur radio operators since 1980. Read
about its history [ https://w4ehw.fiu.edu/w4ehw-history.html ] .

WX4NHC activates whenever a hurricane is within 300 miles of landfall in the areas of the western Atlantic, the Caribbean or the eastern Pacific. The team of operators also provides emergency backup communications from NHC to NWS Offices and other
agencies in case of local landfall. The NHC operators work in conjunction with the Hurricane Watch Net [ http://www.hwn.org/ ] , VoIP WX-Talk Hurricane Net [ http://www.voipwx.net/ ] and other volunteer networks to collect real-time surface reports for
the NHC hurricane specialists via amateur radio using many modes such as HF and VHF/UHF voice, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems, EchoLink and IRLP, and Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) [ https://w4ehw.fiu.edu/w4ehw-aprs.html ] . Input
also comes from two non-amateur volunteer weather observer networks--ON-NHC [ https://w4ehw.fiu.edu/onnhc-index.html ] (Observers Network), and CWOP [ http://www2.fiu.edu/orgs/w4ehw/CWOP-Main.html ] (Citizens Weather Observers Program), using
on-line reporting, email and fax. WX4NHC also relays hurricane advisories via the amateur radio nets to the hurricane affected areas and governmental agencies when conventional means of communications have been interrupted.

Observers' surface reports provide the forecasters with supplemental weather and damage data that are not normally available to them and are frequently incorporated into their advisories as they provide a human perspective and eyewitness accounts of what
people are experiencing during a hurricane. The WX4NHC team has been nationally recognized for its volunteer international humanitarian efforts by the National Hurricane Conference and the South Florida Hurricane Conference.

Call for QST Articles for the July 2025 Special Issue on EmComm

Every July, QST, the membership journal of ARRL, publishes a special issue with an EmComm focus. This issue is a perfect opportunity for your ARES group to share your experiences doing exercises and drills, as well as participating in responses, so other
groups will benefit from your experience. Here's what QST is looking for:

--1,200 to 1,800 words--Tell the story of your participation in an exercise or response with a "how-to" angle. For example, if your club designed an exercise, talk about the rationale that led to the choice of the exercise scenario and parameters.

--2-5 high-resolution images-Include captions that explain what's happening in the photos, the names and call signs of any hams pictured, and the name (and call sign, if applicable) of the person who took each photo.

Send the manuscript and photos to qst@arrl.org [ mailto:qst@arrl.org ] by May 1.

K1CE For a Final: See you at Hamvention(R)

I hope to meet and greet ARES Letter readers at the Dayton Hamvention coming up in May. I plan to attend public service and emcomm-themed meetings and presentations. Please feel free to share your thoughts on current affairs in the public service amateur
community. I will also try to be available for conversation at the ARES booth along with ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV. See you in Dayton! Γ-"K1CE

ARES(R) Resources

Γ-óDownload the ARES Manual [PDF] [ http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public Service/ARES/ARESmanual2015.pdf ]
Γ-óARES Field Resources Manual [PDF] [ http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ARES_FR_Manual.pdf?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL ]
Γ-óARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book [Fillable PDF] [ https://arrl.informz.net/arrl/data/images/ARES Letter/ARES Taskbook July 2024.pdf ]
Γ-óARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book [Word] [ https://arrl.informz.net/arrl/data/images/ARES Letter/ARES Taskbook July 2024.doc ]
Γ-óARES Plan [ https://arrl.informz.net/arrl/data/images/ARES Letter/ARES PLAN 24(2).pdf ]
Γ-óARES Group Registration [ http://www.arrl.org/ares-group-id-request-form?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL ]
Γ-óEmergency Communications Training [ http://www.arrl.org/emergency-communications-training?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL ]

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service(R) (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every
licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization is eligible to apply for membership in ARES. Training may be required or desired to participate fully in ARES. Please inquire at the local level for specific
information. Because ARES is an amateur radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.

How to Get Involved in ARES: Fill out the ARES Registration form [ http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public Service/fsd98.pdf ] and submit it to your local Emergency Coordinator.

Support ARES(R): Join ARRL

ARES(R) is a program of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio(R) [ https://www.arrl.org/?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL ] . No other organization works harder than ARRL to promote and protect amateur radio! ARRL members
enjoy many benefits and services including digital magazines, e-newsletters, online learning (learn.arrl.org [ https://learn.arrl.org/ ] ), and technical support. Membership also supports programs for radio clubs, on-air contests, Logbook of The World(R),
ARRL Field Day, and the all-volunteer ARRL Field Organization.

Join ARRL or renew today! www.arrl.org/join [ http://www.arrl.org/join?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL ]

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