When phones, internet and power go down, amateur radio still works. That's the reason ham radio emergency communications have been part of the hobby for as long as there's been a hobby, and it's one of the most rewarding ways to put your license to use. This guide explains how amateur radio supports emergencies, the difference between ARES and RACES, and how to join ARES and get ready to serve.
Why Amateur Radio Matters in an Emergency
Amateur radio doesn't depend on cell towers, internet providers or the power grid. A handheld radio on battery, a repeater with backup power, or an HF station running off a generator can pass messages when everything else is down. Licensed operators bring their own equipment, know how to use it, and can set up almost anywhere.
Hams support hurricane response, wildfire evacuations, ice storms, search and rescue, and public health operations. Volunteers staff shelters, hospitals and emergency operations centers, passing messages about supplies, damage and the safety of the people involved. Much of the work is less dramatic than it sounds: steady, accurate message handling, often for hours at a time.
ARES and RACES: What's the Difference?
ARES, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, is the ARRL's emergency communications program. It's organized by ARRL section and, locally, by county or district, each led by an Emergency Coordinator (EC). ARES groups work with the organizations they serve, such as county emergency management, hospitals, the Red Cross and the National Weather Service, through local agreements.
RACES, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, is a government program. RACES operators are registered with a civil defense or emergency management agency and operate under specific FCC rules when that agency activates them.
The two often overlap, and in many areas the same operators belong to both. If you're not sure where to start, start with ARES. Your local ARES group can tell you how RACES works in your county.
How to Join ARES
- Get licensed. Any license class can join. Technicians are welcome, and most local emergency work happens on VHF and UHF anyway.
- Find your local Emergency Coordinator. Your ARRL section website lists the section's leadership and usually the EC for each county or district. Local clubs almost always know who to contact.
- Register with your local ARES group. Each group has its own registration process and training requirements.
- Check into the local ARES net. Weekly nets are where you practice procedures, meet the other members, and learn how your group operates.
ARES Training: What to Expect
Training requirements are set locally, so they vary from group to group. Many groups ask new members to complete a common set of free online courses:
- ARRL EC-001, Introduction to Emergency Communication, a free, self-paced online course.
- FEMA Independent Study courses, commonly IS-100 and IS-200 on the Incident Command System, IS-700 on the National Incident Management System, and IS-800 on the National Response Framework. These teach how the agencies you'll serve are organized.
- The ARRL ARES Task Book, a standardized training record some groups use to document skills and progress.
Most groups also want members to serve as net control a few times and to take part in exercises such as the annual Simulated Emergency Test.
Skills Every Emergency Communicator Needs
- Net operation. Knowing how to check into a directed net, wait your turn, and pass traffic only when asked.
- Message handling. Taking down and relaying formal messages word for word, using standard forms such as the ARRL Radiogram or ICS-213.
- Clear, brief transmissions. Plain language, no jargon, and no chatter on a busy frequency.
- Digital messaging. Winlink sends email-style messages over radio, including from HF, and many served agencies now expect it.
- Knowing your equipment cold, including how to program a radio without a computer.
Build a Go-Kit
A go-kit is everything you need to deploy for a shift, packed and ready. A typical starting kit includes:
- A dual band handheld with spare batteries or a battery eliminator, and a better antenna
- A mobile radio and a portable antenna if your group uses them
- Power: a LiFePO4 battery, chargers and power cables
- Headphones, so you can copy messages in a noisy room
- Paper, pens and message forms
- A printed list of local repeaters, frequencies and contacts
- Personal items: water, food, medications, a flashlight and weather gear
Check your kit before storm season. In our experience, the batteries that get forgotten are the ones you need.
Practice Before It Counts
The operators who do the best work in an emergency are the ones who practice when nothing is wrong. Check into nets every week. Volunteer for public service events like marathons and bike rides, which use the same skills as a real activation. Take part in ARRL Field Day and your area's Simulated Emergency Test. If you're new to operating, our guide on how to make your first ham radio contact covers the basics, and our guide to the best handheld ham radio for beginners will help you choose a radio for your go-kit.
Find Your Local Club and Nets on QSL Shack
More than 14,000 amateur radio clubs already have a page on QSL Shack, so there's a good chance your local club and ARES group are already listed. Nets have their own Nets Board so operators can find them, and events let your group post training sessions and exercises with reminders before they start. Join free, find your local group, and get on the next net.