C*A*R*E*S

Chesapeake Amateur Radio Emergency Service

             

Chesapeake ARES – Brochure.pdf (Download)

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, 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 to apply for membership in ARES.  Training may be required or desired to participate fully in ARES.  Please inquire at the local level for specific information.  Because ARES is an Amateur Radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.

CARS works with the Department of Emergency Management in the City of Chesapeake in assisting with providing emergency communications during emergency situations.  This can be in the form of providing communications from various shelters and other public safety facilities in the city to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of the city.  Our repeater systems are also utilized to to provide a communications network between handheld radios, mobile units as well as base stations to make sure everyone who needs to be heard on the air is able to get necessary communications where it needs to go.  CARS also assists with operating HF (High Frequency) radio systems to communicate longer distances out of the area if necessary.

When all else fails, Amateur Radio can get out when other communication systems are not able.

We are always looking for individuals who want to donate their time and talents to the service of their community.

C.A.R.E.S. Weekly Net

(Wednesday Evenings @ 8pm)

  • CARES holds a weekly Net every Wednesday night at 8:00 pm (2000 hours)
  • The weekly CARES Net is on the primary 146.82 MHz repeater (PL 162.2 Hz) or the secondary 146.79 Mhz repeater (PL 88.5 Hz) for discussions in emergency communications and procedures.
  • If you are in range of our repeater and want to help us with emergency communications, please join us on Wednesday evenings.

CARES – Net Control Script (pdf) : If a member of the CARES team would like to help operate as Net Control on a Wednesday evening, you can download a copy of the Net Script here. If you are operating as Net Control please make sure you email that evenings Net Log information to both Emergency Coordinators once the Net is over.

** CARES Net Script.pdf **

ARRL ARES/RACES Emergency Operations Frequencies (Virginia)

This is a list that Ham’s should be aware of. It can help to keep you better informed and AVOID ANY POTENTIAL INADVERTENT INTERFERENCE. During the time(s) that these frequencies are in EMERGENCY operations it is suggested that they be given 5 KHz spacing on either side.

  • 3.907.00 LSB Virginia Emergency
  • 3.943.00 LSB
  • 3.947.00 LSB Old Dominion Emergency Net-Alpha
  • 3.980.00 LSB Southeast Virginia ARES
  • 7.240.00 LSB
  • 7.243.00 LSB Old Dominion Emergency Net
  • 7.248.00 LSB Old Dominion Emergency Net-Bravo 

ARES – Manuals & Training

Fill out the ARES Registration form and submit it to your local Emergency Coordinator. (Email: emcom@w4car.org)

ARES Websites

ARRL EmComm Training & FEMA Emergency Courses

CARES hosted the ARRL EmComm Training sessions at the CARS clubhouse in 2018 & was open to all amateur radio operators. If you are interested in taking this class you will need to take the following online FEMA Emergency Courses. If you have not already done so, please go to the following FEMA website and apply for your FEMA SID # which you must have to take the online courses and exams for the prerequisites to the upcoming class.
 
A FEMA SID is required to register for and participate in any training provided by FEMA. All FEMA training providers’ registration systems and enrollment procedures require a valid FEMA SID. The FEMA SID will serve as your unique identifier and be used to maintain the record of FEMA training you attended.

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FEMA SID #
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FEMA Emergency Institute Courses

Additional FEMA Resources

Communication Resources

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CARES & ARES Related Websites & Social Media