About CT-ARES Region 1

Amateur Radio is a FCC licensed auxillary communicatons service and through ARES amateur radio operators (hams) provide communications services to government public safety agencies and non-governmental organizations such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army,  We provide these services in a subordinate capacity with formal partnerships arrived through memoranda of understandings (MOUs). In doing so, ARES communicators enable these served agencies to focus on their primary role while assuring personal and equipment that will enable them to fill their mission is available. Amateur Radio is well-suited to provide an emergency communications infrastructure, to augment public communications systems that may be overwhelmed or have failed..

Connecticut ARES Region 1 is a group composed of FCC licensed amateur radio operators who live in the lower section of Fairfield County.  They are dedicated radio operators who are trained emergency communicators. We practice for emergencies through training, drills and simulated emergency scenarios and develop plans for deployment in the event of actual emergencies.  We volunteer our personal time, skill, and equipment if requested by a Served Agency, national, state, or local Emergency Manager. We will endeavor to supplement, extend or replace impacted commercial or government communications systems in an emergency or public service situation. We will use our own, served agency, or government-provided, amateur radio equipment and systems.

If you would like to join Connecticut ARES, please complete the registration form on the CT ARES website

To subscribe to the CT ARES Region 1 Reflector please send an email to:

Announcements+subscribe@CT-ARES-Region1.groups.io

It is not a requirement to join ARES or be a currently licensed amateur in order to train with us, but we highly recommend that you do.

Everyone who is a licencsed amateur radio operator and is interested in emergency communications is invited to participate in all nets and excersises. Even if you are not a member of ARES or live outside of our area, you are welcome to participate.

Structure and Leadership

Region 1 is lead by the District Emergency Coordinator Emily Clarke N1DID.  The region is further divided up into 3 zones each lead by an Area Emergency Coordinator.

Participating in ARES Region 1

Requirements

In order to participate in ARES Region 1 you should be a licensed ham radio operator with a minimum of a Technician Class license in good standing, Although being licensed is not a requirement you will not be able to operate a radio without supervision unless you are. To become licensed you please refer to LEVEL 1: Technican Class License information.  Additionally we highly recommend the online study course from HAMSTUDY.ORG. Of course it goes without saying the best way to learn is to ask someone who is a ham to mentor you.

Radio Equipment

Ham radio equipment can run the gamut from a very simple hand held transceiver (transmitter-receiver) sometimes called an HT or walkie-talkie, to a long range, high power shortwave radio with massive antennas.  There is a place for everyone in emergency communications.  Choosing a ham radio can be a personal thing, but many people get help from a mentor.  You can refer to "Choosing a Ham Radio" in our files section.

Every licensed amateur regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur radio service, only FCC licensed amateurs are eligible for membership. At the local level our primary task is to provide emergency communications. Our training is focused on disaster preparedness and public service. ARES can also provide communications for public service events such as fun runs, community parades, fairs and other public events needing communications.

ARES: Amateur Radio Emergency Service The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) is a volunteer radio communications service that is a program of the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) and consists of licensed radio amateurs who have voluntarily registered with their local ARES leadership for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. ARES is available to support federal, state, county and local government agencies, as well as non-government organizations in need of communications support such as Red Cross, faith based or other community organizations supporting the public in time of need.

Every licensed amateur regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur radio service, only FCC licensed amateurs are eligible for membership. At the local level our primary task is to provide emergency communications. Our training is focused on disaster preparedness and public service. ARES can also provide communications for public service events such as fun runs, community parades, fairs and other public events needing communications.

Click here to see the Wikipedia article for ARES.