Cook County Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®)

This is the home page of Cook County Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®).

Next ARES Events     ARES events only. See complete calendar below for other events,   including public service events run by other groups.   Key:     ARES Nets and Meetings    ARES/Operating Activities    Public Service Events
Wed	Sep 23	2100	Cook County ARES Net  SARA Repeater, 146.88 MHz
Sat	Oct 03	0645	Illinois Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
Wed	Oct 28	2100	Cook County ARES Net  SARA Repeater, 146.88 MHz
Wed	Nov 25	2100	Cook County ARES Net  SARA Repeater, 146.88 MHz
Sat	Dec 04 -05	1800	Skywarn Recognition Day
Wed	Dec 23	2100	Cook County ARES Net  SARA Repeater, 146.88 MHz

Quick Jumps

Illinois Statewide Simulated Emergency Test (SET) 03-OCT-2009

ARES Calendar of Activities and Public Service Events

Invitation to Join ARES

ARES Registration Forms

Chicago-Area and Illinois Nets, including ARES, Skywarn, and Public Service

Cook County ARES Net--4th Wednesday every Month

Schaumburg ARC Emergency Communications and ARES Net

Illinois and Chicago-Area Field Day Operations

Further Reading about ARES and Public Service

Contact Cook County ARES

ARES Calendar of Activities and Public Service Events   Key:     ARES Nets and Meetings    ARES/Operating Activities    Public Service Events
Wed	Sep 23	2100	Cook County ARES Net  SARA Repeater, 146.88 MHz
Sat	Oct 03	0645	Illinois Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
Wed	Oct 28	2100	Cook County ARES Net  SARA Repeater, 146.88 MHz
Wed	Nov 25	2100	Cook County ARES Net  SARA Repeater, 146.88 MHz
Sat	Dec 04 -05	1800	Skywarn Recognition Day
Wed	Dec 23	2100	Cook County ARES Net  SARA Repeater, 146.88 MHz

Detailed Information on Public Service Events*:

Date/Time	Event	Location	Contact
* Events marked with an asterisk are run by organizations other than Cook County ARES and are advertised here as a service to the event organizers and to ARES members interested in public service activities. Information is believed accurate, but you should contact event organizers directly to learn of any changes and to let them know you are available to assist.

Invitation to Join ARES

To All Radio Amateurs: The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is a voluntary organization of licensed amateurs who have registered their capabilities and equipment for providing emergency communications as a public service to the community. The purpose of the ARES is to furnish communications in the event of natural disaster, when regular communications fail or are inadequate. Sponsored by ARRL®, the ARES functions at the local level to meet local communications needs. The ARES has a long history of public service going back to its formal inception in 1935. Since that time, the ARES has responded countless times to communications emergencies. Experience has proven that radio amateurs respond more capably in time of emergency when practice has been conducted in an organized group. There is no substitute for experience gained before the need arises. The ARES in each locality operates under the direction of the Emergency Coordinator (EC), whose function is to direct the activities of the ARES to maintain a state of readiness. To register in the ARES, send the detachable registration form above directly to your EC, or to ARRL Headquarters for forwarding to your EC. League membership is not required for registration. Registration does not require the possession of any specially designed equipment. All amateurs can be of assistance to the ARES. There is provision in the ARES for every amateur regardless of class of license, equipment owned, or personal circumstances. Won't you join us in providing this essential Amateur Radio service? Richard Palm, K1CE Field Services Manager

ARES Registration Forms

To register in ARES, please print, complete, and mail one of the forms below. Residents of Illinois should use one of the addresses listed on the forms. Residents outside Illinois should send the form to the American Radio Relay League, 225 Main Street Newington, CT, 06111-1494 USA. Registration Form.  [Adobe PDF Format (40 k)] Registration Form.  [MS Word Format (58 k)] Registration Form.  [HTML Format (Prints over 2 pages) (15 k)]

Illinois Nets, including ARES, Public Service, NTS, and Skywarn® Nets

List of Severe Weather Spotter Nets and Frequencies for Northeastern Illinois Obsolete; 20070330 version; update pending early 2009; [PDF Format (92 k)].   Map of Severe Weather Spotter Nets and Frequencies for Northeastern Illinois Obsolete; 20070330 version; update pending early 2009; [PDF Format (69 k)].   List of Nets of Interest to Illinois Hams, including ARES and Public Service Nets. Warning: Several years out-of-date.

Cook County ARES Net

The Cook County ARES Net meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 9:00 PM local time on the SARA repeater (146.88 MHz R-600 PL107.2). All amateurs with 2-meter privileges and an interest in emergency and public service communications are welcome, without regard to ARES membership, ARRL membership, or county of residence. The net features a brief training session each month designed to improve each participant's competence in emergency communications. The net also includes announcements regarding emergency and public service communications. Suggested reading material for each training session will be available here or via e-mail. 2009/05/27 Net Topic: Fifth Sunday ARES ECOM Exercise--May 31st--Traffic Handling Preparation for Field Day. Resources: Text of training segment. [HTML Format] An introductory traffic handling article from K7BFL http://home.earthlink.net/~k7bfl/voguide.html An introductory traffic handling article from W7ARC http://www.w7arc.com/nts/ An introductory traffic handling article from the Texas Traffic Net http://www.texastrafficnet.org/training.asp ARRL's National Traffic System Methods and Practices Guidelines--the definitive reference manual on NTS traffic handling http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/nts-mpg/ 2007/08/22 Net Topic: Family First by Gregg Rosenberg AB9MZ Resources: Text of training segment. [Adobe PDF Format] Text of training segment. [RTF Format] 2007/05/23 Net Topic: Vacation/Travel Go Kits Resources: Text of training segment. [Adobe PDF Format] Text of training segment. [RTF Format] 2007/03/28 Net Topic: Severe Weather Spotter Nets--Northeastern Illinois Resources: Text of training segment. Hazardous Weather Outlook--NWS Chicago (Romeoville) IL Weather Forecast Office Spotter Reference Guide--NWS Louisville KY Weather Forecast Office Severe Weather Spotter Training Class Schedule--NWS Chicago (Romeoville) IL Weather Forecast Office Northeast Illinois Weather Spotter Frequencies, Nets, and Other Resources--List Northeast Illinois Weather Spotter Frequencies, Nets, and Other Resources--Map 2006/05/24 Net Topic: TBA Resources: Text of training segment. 2006/04/26 Net Topic: Break Tags: A new, orderly way to access a busy net. Resources: Text of training segment. ARES E-Letter, 16 November 2005. See Break Tags. 2006/03/22 Net Topic: Generators for Emergency Communications, Part II. Resources: Text of training segment. 2006/02/22 Net Topic: Generators for Emergency Communications, Part I. Resources: Text of training segment. 2004/04/28 Net Topic: Prepare for the ARES Spring Exercise--And Real Emergencies! Resources: Text of training segment. 2004/03/24 Net Topic: An Emergency/Disaster Communications Plan for your Family Resources: Text of training segment. 2004/02/25 Net Topic: Severe Weather Preparedness Resources: Text of training segment. Registration page for ARRL Level I Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course (ARECC) Spotter Training Schedules from NWS Romeoville Forecast Office (Chicago area) February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 Storm Spotter's Reference Guide from Louisville Kentucky (LMK) Forecast Office Severe Weather Spotter Nets and Frequencies for Northeastern Illinois 2004/01/22 Net Topic: Portable Antennas for 2m Resources: Coming soon. 2003/12/24 Net Topic: No training due to Christmas Eve. 2003/11/26 Net Topic: Free training from Illinois and Federal Emergency Management Agencies Resources: Text of training segment. Illinois Emergency Management (IEMA) Training Schedule Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Online Training Catalogue 2003/10/22 Net Topic: Cook County ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) Sunday, November 2, 2003 Resources: Text of training segment. 2003/09/24 Net Topic: Unavailable. 2003/08/27 Net Topics: ARECC Training Courses; and Equipment Interoperability II Resources: Text of training segment. Registration page for ARRL Level I Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course (ARECC) Information on Anderson PowerPole® Connectors. 2003/07/23 Net Topic: ARECC Training Courses; and Equipment Interoperability I Topics: ARECC Training Courses; and Equipment Interoperability II Resources: Text of training segment. Syllabi for ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Courses (ARECC) Levels I, II, and III Registration page for ARRL Level I Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course (ARECC) Downloadable Manuals Icom Kenwood Yaesu   Note: Due to use of dynamic content web programming, we can't provide a single link to Yaesu's manuals. You may be able to find what you need by going to their site and searching for "manuals".   Moral: Stamp out dynamic content. 2003/06/25 Net Topic: Field Day Resources: ARRL Field Day Rules ARRL Field Day Package (includes rules) [Adobe PDF Format (242 k)] ARRL Illinois Section Page (for contact information for Section Manager and Section Emergency Coordinator) 2003/05/28 Net Topic: Go-Kits Suggested reading: None. 2003/04/23 Net Topic: Inaugural Net. Suggested reading: None.

Schaumburg ARC Emergency Communications and ARES Net

The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club Emergency Communications and ARES Net meets on the first Thursday of the month at 8:20 PM local time on the SARC repeater (145.23 MHz R-600 PL107.2). If the repeater is unavailable, the net is conducted in simplex on the repeater output frequency. All amateurs with 2-meter privileges and an interest in emergency and public service communications are welcome. The net features a brief training session each month designed to improve each participants competence in emergency communications. The net also includes announcements regarding emergency and public service communications. Suggested reading material for each training session is available here or via e-mail. 2003/03/06 Net Preparing Messages in NTS Radiogram Format, by Milan Bagel K9HDX. Suggested reading and reference material for the 2003/03/06 training session 2003/04/03 Net List of Severe Weather Spotter Nets and Frequencies for Northeastern Illinois (mostly collected by John Nebl N9MYC). Map of Severe Weather Spotter Nets and Frequencies for Northeastern Illinois (from John Nebl N9MYC) [GIF Format (86 k)]. Map of Severe Weather Spotter Nets and Frequencies for Northeastern Illinois (from John Nebl N9MYC) [JPG Format (450 k)]. (Coming Soon.) Suggested reading and reference material for the 2003/04/03 training session 2003/05/01 Net (Coming Soon.) Suggested reading and reference material for the 2003/05/01 training session 2003/06/05 Net (Coming Soon.) Suggested reading and reference material for the 2003/06/05 training session

Illinois and Chicago-Area Field Day Operations

ARRL® Field Day 2009 June 27-28, 2009 ARRL® Field Day is the largest Amateur Radio emergency communications exercise, and is held annually in late June. (More info.) Amateur radio operators (or "hams") numbering in the tens of thousands, throughout the US and Canada, will demonstrate their emergency communications capabilities by trying to contact as many other stations as possible over a 24 to 27 hour period, using emergency power sources and temporary stations and antennas erected in the field for this event. Many hams participate in this event as part of a local amateur radio club or emergency communications volunteer group. Some clubs/groups operate at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of a government or other served agency, instead of building stations in the field. Field Day is not just for experienced hams. Visiting a club/group Field Day operation is a great way for new hams to learn more about emergency communications and to meet other hams in their neighborhood. And Field Day is an excellent introduction to ham radio for the general public. We encourage all amateurs to participate in this fun and educational emergency communications exercise. Most clubs/groups will be delighted to welcome you as a visitor, even if you're not a member of the group, and even if you're not a licensed ham. Maps and additional information on club/group Field Day operations in Illinois in 2009 are available at the Illinois and Chicago-Area Field Day Drectory: http://pages.ripco.net/~ormos/fd2009.html And while you're planning to visit one of these Field Day operations, please consider bringing along a friend or neighbor who might enjoy learning about amateur radio. Kids love Field Day because there's always something going on! ARRL Field Day 2010 June 26-27 2010 ARRL Field Day is always the fourth full weekend in June. In 2010, ARRL Field Day will be held over the weekend of June 26-27. The Illinois and Chicago-Area Area Field Day page for 2010 will be posted around April 2010.

For Further Reading on Amateur Radio Emergency and Public Service Communications, Including ARES

ARRL's ARES Brochure  [Adobe PDF Format (514 k)].   Although intended to explain ARES to managers and staff of served agencies, this brochure can give a newcomer a good idea of what ARES is all about. Article: "9/11/01: This is Not a Test." [Adobe PDF Format (307 k)].   This article reports on how Amateur Radio operators responded to the tragedies of September 11, 2001, in New York City, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania. ARRL's Public Service Web Page. ARRL Public Service Communications Manual Web Browsable Version  [HTML Format] Printable Version  [Adobe PDF Format (790 k)] ARRL ARES Field Resources Manual [Adobe PDF Format (440 k)].   This manual is also available for purchase from the ARRL. ARRL's Special Events Communication Manual ARRL National Traffic System Methods and Practices Guidelines Table of Contents--Adobe PDF version Table of Contents--Microsoft Word version

Severe Weather (Skywarn®) Training 2009

Severe Weather Spotter Training by the National Weather Service Chicago (Romeoville) Forecast Office The National Weather Service (NWS) offers severe weather spotter training classes at dozens of locations in Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana through mid-April. The classes are about 1-1/2 to 2 hours and feature a multimedia presentation and talk by a NWS meteorologist. Most classes are open to the public, but some host agencies limit participants or require pre-registration. Contact the host agency well in advance to learn of any restrictions and to register. Most classes are free of charge; an exception is the DuPage Advanced Weather Spotter Seminar on 2009/03/14 (see below). Spotter Training Schedule: NWS Chicago/Romeoville Office Spotter Training Schedule: NWS Lincoln IL Office Spotter Training Schedule: NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan Office DuPage Advanced Weather Spotter Seminar--2009/03/14 DuPage County O&cEM and partner organizations offer an advanced severe weather spotter training class in most years. In 2009, the class will be held on Saturday, 14 March, at Wheaton College. The class runs from 0800 to 1600, and includes a number of talks and multimedia presentations, a buffet lunch, and a panel discussion. A fee applies ($30 prior to 2009/02/27; $40 otherwise). Registration is recommended as seats are limited and the event has sold out at least once in past years. Online registration is available. A Severe Weather Preparedness Class is available on Friday, 13 March. See the links below for more information. DuPage Weather Seminars Brochure (2009) Event Web Site with Online Registration

Illinois Statewide Simulated Emergency Test (SET) 03 October 2009

SET: An Opportunity to Test Emergency Communications Capabilities ARES units throughout Illinois will participate in a statewide Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on Saturday 03 October 2009. The Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is an annual opportunity for amateur radio operators and emergency communications groups to exercise and test their emergency communications skills and equipment while interacting with served agencies, NTS nets, and other ARES and EmComm organizations. Exercise Scenario The 2009 Illinois SET exercise will revolve around a severe earthquake near Murphysboro IL. The impact of this event will be devastating. Major structure and infrastructure damage will affect the southern 2/3 of Illinois, where the disruption to infrastructure will be total. Everything south of Champaign will be in major disarray. North of Champaign to the Wisconsin border, damage will be less severe, but utilities, highways, and other infrastructure, including virtually all conventional communications, will be severely disrupted. [Source: Brad Pioveson W9FX] Local ARES groups are challenged to build an exercise around this scenario, which is described in greater detail in an announcement from Illinois Section Emergency Coordinator Brad Pioveson W9FX. Major Milestones for the Illinois SET 2009 July and August, 2009 Exercise planning and coordination with served agencies and other ARES organizations. 03 September 2009 Measurable goals and objectives due to SEC W9FX. 03 October 2009 Simulated Emergency Test. 08 October 2009 After Action Report (AAR) due to SEC W9FX.

Skywarn® Recognition Day

Friday 4 December 2009 1800 CST through Saturday 5 December 2009 1800 CST. Skywarn Recognition Day is a FUN amateur radio operating event to celebrate the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN radio operators make to the National Weather Service (NWS). Amateurs visit National Weather Service offices throughout the U.S. to set up ham radio stations and operate during the 24-hour period of the event. The goal for these stations is to contact as many other stations, including other NWS offices, as they can. Other amateurs participate from home, club, mobile, or portable stations. They try to contact as many participating NWS offices as possible. Certificates are available to participants who contact a threshold number of other stations. Although Skywarn Recognition Day is intended principally as a fun operating event, EmComm-focused amateurs can use this as a great learning opportunity, because Skywarn Recognition Day is a great emergency communications exercise. In some cases, operations at NWS offices are like a winter Field Day, in which visiting hams set up several additional stations and antennas to supplement the stations permanently installed at the office. And maximizing the number of participating stations contacted requires operating skills similar to those needed in an emergency. The National Weather Service is an important served agency for amateurs throughout the region. Can your station communicate directly with the Romeoville forecast office via simplex? If you now expect to use one of NWS' selected liaison repeaters, and that repeater is out of service, will you be able to use one of the other repeaters? Skywarn Recognition Day will give you an opportunity to find out. How to participate: Review the Skywarn Recognition Day information at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/hamradio. Make contacts with WX9LOT, the station at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Romeoville, IL on as many of the repeaters listed below as you can. See "Special Note" below. Make a simplex contact with WX9LOT on one or both of 2m and 70cm. If you have HF privileges, make contacts with WX9LOT and as many other participating Skywarn Recognition Day stations as you can on HF. If you want a certificate or QSL cards from participating NWS Skywarn Recognition Day stations, follow the instructions at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/hamradio. Skywarn Recognition Day is held on the first Saturday of December--in 2009, that's December 5. The event runs from 0000 to 2400 UTC (i.e., the event begins at 1800 CST on Friday and runs through 1800 CST Saturday). Special Note WX9LOT at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Romeoville makes a special effort to contact hams in the 23 counties of the NWS Chicago County Warning Area (CWA) on the 2m and 70cm bands. Repeaters typically used include: Repeater Output Frequency PL Offset Valparaiso, Indiana 147.105 Mhz pl 131.8 + FishFAR--Schaumburg 442.900 pl 114.8 + FishFAR--Gilberts 442.925 pl 114.8 + FishFAR--Joliet 442.925 pl 114.8 + FishFAR--Chicago 442.975 pl 114.8 + FishFAR--Gilberts 146.925 pl 100.0 — Dupage Radio Club 442.550 pl 114.8 + Kankakee, Illinois 146.94 Mhz pl 107.2 + Grundy County, Illinois 442.325 Mhz pl 114.8 + Ogle county, Illinois 147.165 Mhz pl 146.2 + Corrections from NB9R and AB9MZ applied.

Contact Cook County ARES

For more information on how you can be a part of ARES in Cook County, Illinois, contact:    Neil Ormos N9NL District Emergency Coordinator, Cook County/Chicago 2700 S. Briarwood Drive West Arlington Heights    IL    60005-4603 Tel:   +1 847 477 7104 E-mail: Outside of Cook County? Visit the Illinois Section ARES page at http://www.qsl.net/ares-il/ to find the ARES unit serving your county.

Page Version: 2009-08-26 23:18:14 NRO