ARES — Amateur Radio Emergency Service
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is the ARRL's voluntary emergency communications programme, connecting licensed amateur radio operators with served agencies — hospitals, Red Cross chapters, emergency management offices, and public safety organisations — that need reliable communications backup when normal infrastructure fails. ARES groups operate at the local, section, and national level and are activated for everything from severe weather to large-scale natural disasters.
Structure
ARES is organised through approximately 70 ARRL sections, each led by a Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC). Below the SEC, each county or local area is served by an Emergency Coordinator (EC) who manages the local ARES group. Assistant Emergency Coordinators (AECs) help manage specific functions — digital operations, go-kit logistics, and training. Local ARES groups maintain rosters of registered operators, hold regular nets and exercises, and maintain relationships with served agencies. All participation is voluntary.
Served agencies and MOUs
ARES groups establish formal relationships with served agencies through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). These define what communications services the ARES group will provide and under what conditions they will activate. Common served agencies include American Red Cross chapters, county emergency management offices, hospitals, the National Weather Service (for SKYWARN), and public utilities. During an activation, ARES operators report to the served agency's incident commander — not to their own ARES leadership.
Eligibility and registration
Any licensed amateur radio operator in good standing with the FCC is eligible to register with their local ARES group. ARRL membership is not required. Registration involves completing a form with your local EC, providing your callsign and licence class, listing your equipment and capabilities, and agreeing to the group's operating procedures. Some sections require a background check when working with hospitals or schools.
Training requirements
The most commonly required or recommended courses are FEMA's free online ICS-100 and IS-700, which ensure ARES operators can integrate with professional emergency responders using a common framework. The ARRL also offers EC-001 (Introduction to Emergency Communication) and EC-016 (Public Service and Emergency Communications Management). Many sections run their own exercises and tabletop simulations as ongoing training.
| Capability | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| VHF/UHF | 5W handheld (HT) | 25–50W mobile with external antenna |
| HF | Not required for Technicians | 100W transceiver covering 40/80m |
| Power | Battery pack for HT | Deep cycle battery + solar or generator |
| Antenna | Rubber duck or roll-up J-pole | Portable dipole or vertical with mast |
| Digital | Optional | Winlink-capable TNC or sound card interface |
| Operating time | 4 hours autonomous | 72 hours self-sufficient |
Do I need to be an ARRL member to join ARES?
No — ARES is open to any licensed amateur regardless of ARRL membership. However, most active ARES members do maintain ARRL membership for the educational resources and liability coverage on ARRL-sanctioned events.
How much time does ARES involvement require?
At minimum, checking into a weekly net takes 30 minutes. Active members may commit several hours per month for events and exercises. During real activations, deployments can run 8–24 hour shifts. The commitment is entirely voluntary.
Can Technician-class operators participate in ARES?
Yes. Technicians are valuable for VHF/UHF operations — local nets, repeater operations, SKYWARN, and APRS. HF operations for regional EmComm require at least a General class licence, so upgrading is strongly recommended.
How do I find my local ARES EC?
Use the ARRL Section lookup at arrl.org to find your Section Emergency Coordinator, who can direct you to your local EC. Many local ARES groups also have listings on QRZ.com or their own websites.