The American Radio Relay Leagues says the following with regards to joining an ARES^® group: "The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve."

St. Louis County ARES^® adheres to the ARRL mandate. It does not believe that "one size fits all". There are many different ways that you can help the organization. Precisely where you fit in and what you do will depend on your interests and how active you are. We assume, however, that you are interested in emergency communications. Here are some activities that we recommend.

• Learn about personal preparedness.
  The FEMA online IS-22 course would be a good place to start.

• Participate in the St. Louis County ARES^® weekly voice net.
  It takes place at 7:30 PM local time every Wednesday on the 146.850 repeater.

• Attend the monthly St. Louis County ARES^® meetings.
  There is news and are many interesting presentations. See the calendar of events for the date of the next meeting.

• Join the St. Louis County ARES^® Planning Committee.
  Yes, you can make a difference. The Committee advises the Emergency Coordinator and helps to develop and execute the group's activities.

• Participate in the St. Louis County ARES^® exercises.
  Not all of the exercises are done in the field. You can participate in some of them from your home.

• Build your own field station.
  There is a great sense of satisfaction in being able to operate from virtually anywhere.

• Learn how to handle formal traffic.

• Learn how to control a net.

• Take the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 Course (ARECC).

• If you have some specialty of your own (for example putting connectors on coaxial cable or operating from solar power) then give a presentation at one of the meetings.

• Take FEMA online courses IS-100 and IS-700.

• Learn how to operate digital modes.
  We would recommend learning about packet radio as a start. Systems such as APRS and Winlink are built upon a packet foundation.

• Participate in local public service activites such as bike-riding events or walk-a-thons.

• Keep expanding your knowlegde and developing your radio skills.
  Have you upgraded your license? Can you send and receive Morse code? Can you improve your current antenna system?
  There should never be a point when you say to yourself, "Okay, there's nothing else I need to know. I'm as ready as I need to be."

• Help recruit new members to ARES^®.

• Share your ideas.
  It's a team! Let us know what you think. Regardless of how skilled you are or how long you've held a license, you have knowledge, ideas, and opinions that are of value.

• Are you a good speaker? Consider being part of the Public Information team.

• Teach us.
  If you are a CI (Certified Instructor), please consider teaching an ARECC course locally.
  If you have any other knowledge or skills you feel you can impart to others, think about volunteering to teach. We may also need people to teach non-hams some basic communications skills and radio / network procedures.

• Helping hands.
  Something always needs to be lifted, moved, carried, handed out, retrieved, or set up. Helping hands are always welcome.

© 2010 St. Louis County ARES^®

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