• Program Overview:

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered themselves and equipment for emergency communications duty when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in the ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. 

In most of Southern New Jersey, all ARES Members are also enrolled as Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) members with the approporiate County Office of Emergency Management.  This allows better coordination and continutity of operation in the event that only RACES operations are permitted if Amateur Radio were to be curtailed under the War Powers Act.

In addition, we encourage all members to become qulaified as Storm Spotters in the National Weather Service Skywarn program.

Collectively, we refer to this combined effort of ARES/RACES/Skywarn as Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (EmComm).

For ARES/RACES/Skywarn Membership information in the Southern New Jersey Section, please Contact your County EC.

More information on ARES is available on the ARRL's Website in the Public Service Area

More information on RACES is available on the ARRL's Website in the Public Service Area