Our Charter
National Organization
- The Amateur Radio Emergency Service is part of Field Organization of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
- ARRL has established Memoranda of Understanding with:
- Dept. of Homeland Security, National Weather Service (NWS), National Communications System (NCS), Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO)
- American Red Cross, Salvation Army, REACT International (Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams), Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), National Association of Radio and Television Engineers (NARTE)
Why ARES?
- Part 97 of FCC Rules & Regulations: “The rules and regulations … are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles: (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. . . .”
ARES Charter
"The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment 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 for membership in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership." -- ARRL Public Service Communications Manual
Why ARES?
- During disasters, commercial communications infrastructures can become damaged and/or overloaded – no exceptions
- Typical emergency services’ communications systems are also vulnerable
- Interagency communications, if existing, are vulnerable as well
