"Hope is not a Strategy"
"Hope is not a Strategy""Hope is not a Strategy""Hope is not a Strategy"Ex-FEMA Director
Craig Fugate KK4INZ
Ex-FEMA Director
Craig Fugate KK4INZ
After a horrible COVID year, the agencies we've supported by providing communications have resumed their activities. We have two "bike rides scheduled:
August 28 - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Cycle for Life
September 12 - Swedish Days Bicycle Ride
For the moment I'm assuming that the start/finish for these rides will be the same as in previous years, but this has not been confirmed. We will provide updates. Stay tuned, but reserve those dates!
At its most basic, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (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.
As a local group, we want both to be prepared for the "serious stuff" but also to have fun improving our ham skills, particularly those which are useful in an emergency.
To join and register your skills and equipment, complete one of the forms below at the bottom of this page (fillable Word or PDF) and email it to either (DuPageCoARES@outlook.com) or to K9GSW@arrl.net
We are transitioning from only Zoom meetings to "hybrid", with Zoom and In-person available. If you want to attend "In-Person", we meet on the second Monday of every month at the training room at DuPage Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 418 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton.
Information to access Zoom for the meetings will be sent out ahead of time to our mailing list.
In the event of an area disaster or a need for an unscheduled callout, DuPage ARES leadership will start a net on W9AUX 2 meter repeater (146.655, minus 600 KHz offset, 107.2 PL), with the W9AUX 440 box (442.050, + 5MHz offset, 114.8) as first backup. If these repeaters are down, our backup repeaters (in order) are the WCRA UHF Repeater on 444.475 MHZ, +5MHZ, PL 114.8,, and then KA9KDC in Wheaton on 444.275 +5MHz, with a PL 114.8. If this fails, we will try to mobilize using simplex - Our DP-S1 Channel on 146.400 (simplex). It has been our experience that IL2A on the 2 meter national calling frequency is used by ragchewers and is not the best choice for serious interop work.
Once you have found a DuPage ARES net, check in and advise as to condition and availability. Even if you will be responding to a callout from another agency, such as a local EMA, advise us so we know who is available, and in turn, you can make your capabilities known to that organization. In general, DO NOT SELF-DEPLOY!
For a wide-scale emergency involving more than the metropolitan area, Illinois ARES net will be functioning on 3.905 MHz LSB Voice..
A net will be initiated when a NWS Watch or Warning is issued. Nets operated during WATCHES will be standby nets, with periodic announcements from Net Control regarding the current situation. When a WARNING is issued, the net will go active, take check-in's from spotters and receive severe weather reports. Follow NWS Notifications on your weather radio, smart phone, or other instrument.
A trained net control operator will bring up the net on the WCRA UHF repeater (444.475 MHz, PL 114.8) according to the procedures outline on the DuPage Weather Net page in this Webpage. All stations available for weather monitoring should check in. If the net proper has not been activated, announce your availability at intervals. During a weather event, we focus on gathering information on severe weather and lightning only.
The DuPage Weather net, in cooperation with DuPage OHSEM and the Wheaton Community Radio Amateurs will meet as practice nets on 7 PM on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month on the WCRA UHF Repeater 444.475 PL 114.8. Bring your expertise and interest in Weather. As they say, it isn't a question of "if" severe weather is going to hit us, but rather "when" and "how much!"
DuPage ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) is part of a program of the American Radio Relay League, the national organization for amateur radio, in which radio amateurs voluntarily register their skills and equipment for use in an emergency. Registration with and participation in the DuPage ARES or any ARES program is, of course, free of charge and reflects the commitment of radio amateurs to public service.
Several years ago, participants organized a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation called DuPage County ARES, Inc. to support the charitable and public service efforts. This 501(c)(3) corporation enables us to purchase basic insurance for our events, and to receive tax deductible donations for equipment (such as our go kits and our portable repeater), among other things. This benefits all who participate in our programs, and strengthens our ability to provide emergency communications. We urge participants to support us by becoming members of DuPage County ARES, INC., for a modest annual membership fee of $20. This fee supports our ability to purchase insurance and maintain our equipment.
It is now time for current members of DuPage County ARES, INC to renew membership. To do this, use Paypal to send money to:
When sending money through PayPal, when asked, indicate you are sending it as a "friend", which does not involve a PP fee.
The "Inc" is also open to receiving donations either financial or usable equipment.
"The FCC [Federal Communications Commission] established amateur radio as a voluntary, non-commercial, radio communications service. It allows licensed operators to improve their communications and technical skills, while providing the nation with a pool of trained radio operators and technicians who can provide essential communications during emergencies."
Meetings
Team Meetings: 2nd Monday of Every Month, 7 pm
at DuPage Co. OHSEM, 418 County Farm Road
Wheaton, Il
During this COVID crisis until further notice our team meetings are being held on Zoom. To receive info on accessing meetings via Zoom, register and join DuPage ARES (see below) or contact DuPageCoARES@outlook.com
Our Repeaters and Nets
W9AUX 442.050, +5MHz Offset, PL 114.8 Fusion (Mixed mode)
W9AUX 146.655, -600 KHz Offset, PL 107.2 Fusion (Mixed mode)
Nets are held:
7 PM - 1st Tuesday of the Month - Voice FM on W9AUX UHF Rptr (442.050 +5MHz Offset, PL 114.8)
and:
7 PM - 3rd Tuesday of each month on W9AUX VHF (146.655, -600KHz, PL 107.2) Digital nets alternate between MT63-2000L and EasyPal modes.
7 PM - NEW!!! 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month -DuPage Weather Net, in cooperation with DuPage OHSEM and Wheaton Community Radio Amateurs on the WCRA UHF Repeater 444.475 PL 114.8
Illinois State HF SSB Voice net on 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at 4:30 PM local Illinois time, on 3,905 KHz LSB (alternate 7,230 KHz).
Northeastern Illinois ARRL Net - Thursdays at 2100 L on K9XD Repeater 444.875 +5MHz, 114.8 - Great Net!!
73, and BCNU
DuPage ARES, INC
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