What is ARES?
ARES is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, a project supported by the ARRL to facilitate extending emergency services to our communities. ARES is divided into Sections and smaller groups, and our own local groups is called the Salt Lake County ARES (or SLCo ARES).
Our own Dan (N7XDL) is the new EC (Emergency Coordinator) for SLCo ARES. He has asked that the following information be posted on the MARC web site.
Time Reporting
The ARRL used to provide a mechanism for reporting volunteer hours associated with ARES via their ARES Connect utility. This tool has been discontinued, but ARES members still need to be able to report their time to the ARRL. SLCo ARES is using a Google Form to input the information. The form can be found here: https://forms.gle/KhPgJm4rqLMDKEw38 (note, this is a new version of the form as of 3 September 2022).
Please enter your data PRIOR to the last week of the month, every month, so that the data can be compiled and submitted to the ARRL before the end of the month.
Standard Load and Radio Configuration Files
SLCo ARES has spent a great deal of time working on the Standard Load. While individual clubs will be maintaining their own versions of it, the basic template is maintained by SLCo ARES. They are also setting up a repository of standard load files and radio configuration files. These files will be stored in a Google Drive (at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N5DF663VUrLslCVH4nj1glAFu5acBKc0?usp=sharing) for general access.
Please send any standard load files you have or have generated in any format (ideally CSV, RT Systems files, or CHIRP radio image files) directly to Dan (N7XDL) or Rian (KF7QGY) for inclusion in this repository. NOTE, we are not including Dan's or Rian's e-mail addresses here to help limit their spam exposure... if you do not have their e-mail addresses, please use our Contact Form to ask for them and we will be happy to let you know. You can also find their e-mail addresses on QRZ.com.
Load files should be named according to the following standard to simplify classification: <Make>_<Model>_<Date>.<Format>. For example, a CSV file for a Yaesu FTM-400 DR mobile radio that was produced on 7 July 2021 would be named Yaesu_FTM400DR_070721.CSV, while a CHIRP image for an AnyTone AT-5888 UV III produced on 21 June 2021 would be named AnyTone_AT5888UVIII_062121.IMG.
WinLink Training
ARES recently sponsored an introduction to WinLink. The presentation and associated chat text are available at the following links:
Presentation: https://youtu.be/bl4aFN-sJjY
Chat Text: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jQBXnpiZxArKo5erTpLv8KmdAYelkYXF/view?usp=sharing
There will also be a four week training series starting in August. You do NOT need to be an ARES member to attend. The training will be provided over Zoom and is being coordinated by Oliver (K6OLI) from the Los Angeles Northeast District ARES in conjunction with Utah ARES.
In order to attend, you must first sign up at https://forms.gle/affxfCuNij7K7fMu6. Once you have signed up, you will be added to a mailing list to receive the Zoom link(s). The first session will be on 30 June 2021 at 7:00 PM MDT. If you have any questions, please contact the Utah Section EC Tyler (N7UWX). (Again, use our contact form if you don't know Tyler's e-mail address.)