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.

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The Powhatan Area Radio Club and it's N4POW repeaters, are a part of District 1 within the Virginia Section of ARES.  We participate in all training, exercises, and activations when called upon by a government official.

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Powhatan ARES Emergency Coordinator - Carl Cash, KF4UBE.

Powhatan ARES Assistant Emergency Coordinator, Ray Sommers, W2AUS (Net Manager). 

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If you would like more information or are interested in getting involved, please contact us @ PowhatanARES@proton.me. 

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We hold a team training meeting on the second Saturday of odd months from 9-10:30. The meeting location varies based on the training for that month.

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Upcoming ARES Meetings: 

• May 11th, 9-10:30 AM, Powhatan County Library Large Conference Room. Bring your VHF/UHF/HF radio go kit with a power source for a display and discussion session. Antennas are optional. If you don't have a radio go kit, join us to learn how to build one!

• July 13th, 9-10:30 AM, Powhatan County Library Large Conference Room. Tabletop ARES Net activation simulation. No radios needed. In this simulation, participants engage in a tabletop scenario that mimics the process of activating an ARES net. 

• Date TBD: ARES Net Activation simulation, replacing the regular ARES net. No deployments. This exercise trains participants in communication skills using your radio.

• Date TBD:  ARES Simulated Emergency Test with Deployment. More information to come.

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Join us every Monday night at 7pm local time on the 147.315 (74.4) repeater for the Powhatan ARES weekly net.

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The weekly ARES net provides training, coordination, and community building for amateur radio operators, ensuring readiness and effective communication during emergencies. We kindly request that all participating stations adhere to standard net procedures, mirroring those utilized during active Emergency Nets. Membership in ARES is NOT required; all licensed amateur radio operators within range of this repeater, regardless of location or affiliation, are warmly welcomed and encouraged to take part in this weekly net.