09/05/2025

September is National Preparedness Month[1], and ARRL is working to arm members with knowledge and resources to be resilient in the face of disaster. Amateur radio serves as a powerful tool and national resource before and When All Else Fails[2]¨, but being prepared goes beyond radio. "Being ready to serve your community through ham radio begins with being ready yourself," says ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV. Johnston spent 17 years as a county emergency manager before coming to lead programs such as the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service¨ (ARES¨). "Having a plan and preparing yourself will improve your chances of being resilient in the face of disaster."ÿ

ARES works closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has shared this checklist of 12 ways to prepare[3] [PDF]:ÿ

o Sign up for alerts and warnings

o Make a plan

o Save for a rainy day

o Practice emergency drills

o Test family communication plan

o Safeguard documentsÿ

o Plan with neighbors

o Make your home safer

o Know evacuation routes

o Assemble or update supplies

o Get involved in your community

o Document and insure property

You can find more information and resources at www.ready.gov/september[4] and at www.arrl.org/ares[5].ÿ


[1] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDI2OTI1JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zOTUxNzY5Ng/index.html
[2] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDI2OTI1JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zOTUxNzY5Nw/index.html
[3] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDI2OTI1JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zOTUxNzY5OA/index.html
[4] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDI2OTI1JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zOTUxNzY5Ng/index.html
[5] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDI2OTI1JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zOTUxNzY5Nw/index.html

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þ Synchronet þ Whiskey Lover's Amateur Radio BBS

09/12/2025

National Preparedness Month - Ham Radio Supply List As the tornadoes that struck Massachusetts on September 6, 2025, demonstrate, you need to be ready for an emergency ahead of time. Radio amateurs were able to serve their communities and the National Weather Service because they were prepared.ÿ ÿÿ

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released a list of supplies[1] [PDF] to keep in an emergency supply kit, which includes things like food, water, medications, a first aid kit, and other useful items - but hams may want to take it a step further. ÿ

ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, says hams should make sure their stations are resilient. "Have a battery backup, or alternate means of power. The grid may go down. Make sure all your antennas are functional and that you have backups in case they are damaged. It may be a good idea to keep a few baluns and some spools of wire to quickly erect wire antennas, if needed," he said. ÿÿ

In addition to having these items, Johnston says to test and exercise the equipment throughout the year. "Consider getting your emergency gear out and doing a shakedown of it during a Parks on the Air operation - it puts your station to the test, gets you active on the air, and can be a fun activity done year-round." ÿÿ

Find more information about resilience and preparedness through amateur radio at www.arrl.org/ares[2].


[1] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDMzNjc5JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zOTY1NDUwNA/index.html
[2] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDMzNjc5JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zOTY1NDUwMA/index.html

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þ Synchronet þ Whiskey Lover's Amateur Radio BBS

09/19/2025

Radio amateurs are valuable resources to their communities in times of crisis. This week, hams in Connecticut were featured in news coverage[1] as they participated in a mass casualty drill with St. Vincent Medical Center in Bridgeport. Several scenarios played out in which amateur radio volunteers helped the hospital connect with other medical facilities, including a targeted cyberattack, mass shooting, and explosions.ÿ

While radio can provide resilience to communities, preparedness for those who would operate the radios begins at home. During National Preparedness Month, ARRL is sharing resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on how to be prepared.ÿ

The starting point for building your own resilience is to understand what threats you face in your area. On the website www.Ready.gov[2], there are tools to learn what disasters are most likely to impact your specific area and how to prepare for them.ÿ

ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, says a plan should be tailored to threats you're likely to face. "While we should all be ready for anything - there are going to be threats specific to a region. Everyone should be well aware of the events that happen in your area," he said.ÿ

There is additional information on the FEMA website to learn about region-specific disasters such as hurricanes. Radio amateurs are encouraged to find an ARES group in their area at www.arrl.org/ares[3].ÿ


[1] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDM5NzM0JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zOTc0NDkzNw/index.html
[2] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDM5NzM0JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zOTc0NDkzOA/index.html
[3] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDM5NzM0JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zOTc0NDkzOQ/index.html

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þ Synchronet þ Whiskey Lover's Amateur Radio BBS

09/26/2025

Amateur radio has long been a vital partner with served agencies in providing communications support, passing traffic, and performing other tasks, both in times of crisis and in times of community service. Through community events, hams help out before and When All Else Fails¨. ÿ

The best way to become a part of serving the greater good in your area is by joining your local ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service¨ (ARES¨) group. "Every disaster starts and ends at the local level, and so should community resilience through radio," said ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV. "Local ARES groups are set up based on the needs of the local community and local volunteers are critical to making sure they are able to serve when needed."

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio[1]¨ has a tool to help hams get plugged in with a group near them. An interactive map at www.arrl.org/find-an-ares-group[2] will let those interested in serving connect with local leadership. This flyer[3] [PDF] talks about what ARES does at the local level.

As September ends, the lessons from National Preparedness Month shouldn't stop with the change of the calendar. As ARRL Sections prepare for the Simulated Emergency Test (SET) in October, being a trained member of a local ARES group will add to your personal, family, and community resilience.

READ MORE ON ARRL NEWS:
National Preparedness Month: 12 Ways to Prepare[4]
National Preparedness Month: Ham Radio Supply List[5]
National Preparedness Month: Know Your Risk[6]
National Preparedness Month: Have a Go Kit[7]

ÿ


[1] https://www.arrl.org
[2] http://www.arrl.org/find-an-ares-group
[3] https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/ARES/ARES202024.pdf
[4] https://www.arrl.org/news/national-preparedness-month-12-ways-to-prepare [5] https://www.arrl.org/news/national-preparedness-month-ham-radio-supply-list [6] https://www.arrl.org/news/national-preparedness-month-know-your-risk
[7] https://www.arrl.org/news/national-preparedness-month-have-a-go-kit

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þ Synchronet þ Whiskey Lover's Amateur Radio BBS