Next Monthly Meeting: Tuesday
|
|
The Program for the month will be Radio Room for GNR |
Gwinnett ARES Net NCS / ANCS Sign-up
To sign up for a Net NCS/ANCS or Digital NCS position, use this Link.
Upcoming Events |
|
|
Skywarn Training Classes |
Upcoming NWS Atlanta Basic Spotter Training Classes (virtual):
o Registration for 10/21 class Additional information:
|
|
October 15 |
Great Shake-out – shakeout.org This day includes a Winlink component to help you practice your Winlink skills. |
|
October 17 9 am -4:00 pm |
Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) is an annual Scouting event that uses amateur radio to link Scouts around the world, around the nation, and in our own community. Scouts of any age can participate, from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Girl Scouts. This is the official JOTA site of the Northeast Georgia Council Amateur Radio Club KK4BSA. This will be held at VFW Post 5255, 368 Grayson Highway,
|
| October 27, 6:30 pm
EOC Conference Room |
We will be having another planning meeting (6:30 pm) before the regular meeting (7:30 pm). AECs are required to attend; other interested members welcome. |
| October 27, 7:30 pm
EOC |
October meeting will be back at the EOC. Program will be in the Radio Room for GNR. |
| October 30, 31 | Stone Mountain Hamfest –
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds Friday 30th 1-5 pm, Saturday 8 am to 4 pm |
What is ARES?
One of the most meaningful things Amateur Radio operators do is provide emergency communications when disasters strike. You’ve probably seen the stories — Hurricane Katrina, the tsunamis in Indonesia, the earthquake in Haiti. When cell phones go down, landlines fail, and the internet goes dark, Amateur Radio operators are still on the air. That’s why our slogan is simply: “When All Else Fails.”
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) is a volunteer organization made up of licensed hams who register their skills and equipment to serve the public during emergencies. The best part? If you have a license and a sincere desire to help, you’re already qualified to join. No other memberships or certifications required.
Right here in Gwinnett County, we’re home to one of the largest and most active ARES® groups in all of Georgia. Our members train year-round, run exercises, and work hand-in-hand with (GEMA) the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and the Gwinnett Office of Emergency Management, as a key part of the county’s official Emergency Operations Plan.
You might be surprised by the range of ways our volunteers serve the community. Here’s a look at what we do:
Filling the Gaps in Official Communications – When official systems get overwhelmed, we step in. That means setting up point-to-point radio links between the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and remote locations or assigning a radio operator to shadow key decision-makers so they’re never out of reach — even in dead zones.
Supporting Partner Agencies, We have formal agreements with several organizations to provide dedicated support, including:
Emergency Shelters — Staffing stations at Red Cross or school shelters to report occupancy, supply needs, and medical status back to the EOC.
Hospitals — Helping hospitals communicate with each other or the county health department when phone lines are jammed.
NGOs — Assisting groups like the Salvation Army or local food banks with logistics during large-scale recovery efforts.
Being the Eyes and Ears on the Ground, our operators are out in the field providing real-time intelligence:
Skywarn Spotting — Reporting live weather conditions (hail size, flooding, wall clouds) directly to the National Weather Service and the EOC.
Damage Assessment — Driving through affected neighborhoods to report blocked roads, downed power lines, and structural damage using standardized ICS forms.
Digital Messaging When the Internet is Down – Modern ARES® is about more than just voice communications. Using tools like Winlink, we can send emails — even with photo or spreadsheet attachments — entirely over radio. This helps the county maintain a reliable record of requests and actions, which is critical for FEMA reimbursement and accountability.
Training and Staying Ready Year-Round – We don’t just show up when disaster strikes. We stay sharp by:
- Providing communications at community events like marathons and parades — great real-world practice for coordinating large teams across the county.
- Participating in joint disaster simulations with county agencies so that when a real emergency happens, everyone already knows how to work together.
Ready to Get Involved?
Whether you’re brand new to ham radio or a seasoned operator looking to give back, Gwinnett ARES® would love to have you. Consider joining us at one of our monthly meetings. Come see firsthand how Amateur Radio serves our community — we’d love to meet you! Glen Wendt – W3WWT – Gwinnett ARES Emergercy Coordinator