Library

Library of
Emergency & Public Service 
Communications

An assortment of links and online documents

Quick Index for this page:

Books- Online and Printed

• ARRL "Public Service Communications Manual" - online or .PDF file or order copy - An overall source of basic information on the ARRL's public service communications program. Includes details on ARES and NTS. #PSCM

Get the Adobe Acrobat PDF file viewer - free download

• ARRL "ARES Field Resources Manual" - .PDF file or printed copy
   A quick trainer and resource guide for the Emergency Communicator. #5439
• ARRL Emergency Coordinator's Manual - order printed copy
  Covers some of the finer points of Emergency Coordinator duties, as well as recruiting and obtaining the necessary resources to properly plan and implement effective emergency and disaster communications. #FSD9
• The ARRL Net Directory - order printed copy
  Listings for hundreds of Amateur Radio nets of interest to North American hams, including local and statewide traffic, rag chew, maritime service, special-interest, fun, and public service nets. #7393
• Disaster Communications by Mark Wood G4HLZ. Online version. Disaster Relief Communications Foundation -- discusses all communication types

Digital Modes - Packet, TV, APRS

• Virginia ARES/RACES Digital Operations Guideline 
• Oregon ARES/RACES Oregon Packet Information
• Packet Radio - G. E. 'Buck' Rogers Sr., K4ABT
• North Carolina APRS
• Packet Radio and Emergency Communications  - Rich Ferguson, KAØDXM
• About Packet Clusters - Rich Ferguson, KAØDXM
• Sound Card Packet-- run packet without a TNC using your computer's sound card

Disaster Information - General

• FEMA's Emergency Management Information Independent Study Program

Emergency Power and Connectors

• ARRL Info on Emergency or Alternative Power
• Introduction to Auxiliary Power Systems For Emergency Communications  - C. Edward Harris, KE4SKY, and John Bartone, K4KXK
• Batteries in Fact and Fiction - Ham Radio Club, U. of Hawaii at Manoa
• A Source of Used but Usable Lead Acid Batteries
• Inspection and Test of Donated Used Batteries for ARES - By Ed Harris, KE4SKY
• ARES/RACES Standardized DC Power Plug
• A Better Power Connector? Anderson Power Poles

Frequencies

• Repeater Directory for NJ - NJ Artsci's
• Police Code Numbers  

General Info about Ham Volunteers

• ARRL Backgrounder #1:  Amateur Radio Emergency Communication 
• ARRL Backgrounder #2:  Using Amateur Radio in an Emergency

Incident Command System

• Basic Incident Command System - FEMA Independent Study Program
• ICS Job Descriptions -by California Explorer Search and Rescue

Links to Links

The World Wide Web is filled with web sites dealing with public service and emergency communication. Many sites have "links" pages which list other emergency communication sites. Here's a short list of some better pages for "links". 

• Amateur Radio Reference Library -by N8UT 
• N3XGR'S ARES-RACES Index Page
• Search and Rescue Links -by California Explorer Search and Rescue
• FEMAs Links Page
• Virginia ARES/RACES Reference Library
• Colorado ARES Links
• K1DWU's Ham Links Collection - lots of links to anything about ham radio

Lookups

• QRZ - Call Sign Lookup

Mailing Lists - Reflectors

When you subscribe to a mailing list (also called a reflector) you will be sent an email anytime another member of the list posts a message to the group. It's a great way to exchange ideas, discuss issues, and announce important developments.

• ARES-RACES -  national discussion group

To subscribe, either:

1. visit Qth.Net and select the list you would like (both are listed under the "Clubs" section)
2. send an mail as follows::
   
   TO: majordomo@qth.net
   SUBJECT:
   BODY: subscribe ares-races

• NJ-PA-MD-DE-SKYWARN - SKYWARN discussion and announcements

• NJ-PA-MD-DE Severe Weather Alerts 

Operating Aids, Hints, and Information

• ARRL Handy Operating Aid - phonetic alphabet, prowords/signs, RST chart, time zone converter
• Simplex Operation for Emergency Response - C. Edward Harris, KE4SKY
• 10 Ways to Optimize Your Effectiveness in Public Service Event 
• Lessons on Emergency Communications in Hawaii
• Emergency Communications After The Hurricane... - Jim Freeman, N3OHS
• Amateur Radio Reference Library - Operator Info  - lots of articles
• ACS EMCOMM Bulletins - California Auxiliary Communications Service
• ARR'Ls DOs and DON'Ts - CO ARES site
• "Ways You Could Become a Better Public Service Operator"  - plain text or MS-Word ".doc" file      (sample document -- under development)
  

Other States - Web Sites and Plans

• California Auxiliary Communications Service Manual
• Virginia ARES
• Colorado ARES
• Orange County (CA) RACES
• Westchester County (NY) ARES/RACES

Ready Kits - some suggested lists

• Orange County CA - Emergency Supply List
• "What's In Your 'Go' Kit?"  - C. Edward Harris, KE4SKY
• Personal Equipment Check List - Colorado ARES
• Chatham ARES/RACES Checklist

Training

• Amateur Radio Emergency & Communications Training - Site Links
• Training Resources - Colorado ARES
• Basic Training Course Outline - Colorado ARES
• Monthly Training - Orange County CA RACES
• Planning for a State-Wide Test
• Emergency Communications Manual -Auxiliary Communication Service  of California
• ARES Communication Training Manual for California ACS - Bill Pennington, WA6SLA