San Francisco Amateur Radio Emergency Services

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.

ARES functions at the local level to meet local communications needs. Any licensed amateur radio operator, regardless of membership in any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve.

Here in San Francisco, SF ARES works very closely with the San Francisco Amateur Radio club (one of the nations oldest radio clubs, founded in 1917!)

The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership, what's important, is a willingness to help your neighbor when needed. 

ARES has a long history of public service going back to its formal inception in 1935. Since that time ARES has responded countless times to communications emergencies.

 

In San Francisco, ARES supports the missions of:

American Red Cross

Salvation Army

San Francisco Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security, Auxiliary Communications Service

Any other Federal, State, or Local agency that requests our aid

 

ARES San Francisco has had a long tradition in the Bay Area of helping when needed.

Earthquakes

Wild land Fires

Weather Emergencies

Communications for mass care shelters, after major fires

Many other local emergencies have also prompted an ARES response.

We also work with San Francisco Fire Departments NERT teams, supplying back up communications.

When requested, ARES also assists SF OES & HS ACS teams with backup communications.

We also do fun things like the Bay to Breakers and other public events.

 

Our Mission

Our objective is to supply communications to any agency that requires it, be it VHF, UHF, or HF, in any mode possible, when and where ever they need it,

For example, if the Red Cross needs a communications link from a shelter on Ellis St. back to their headquarters, we can do that.

Or in the event of floods in the North Bay, or another fire in the Oakland Hills, we can set up communications in support of the agencies involved.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Because of current events, all Amateurs should carry a radio with them during the day

And monitor: 145.150 (-) pl. 114.8, 146.790 (-)  pl 114.8, 443.100 (+)  pl 114.8

Please make sure you have charged extra batteries, or a 'AA' battery pack

Current Homeland Security Level

***YELLOW***

 

For more info on ARES, go to the ARRL website.

(Please note that ARES is a registered trademark of the American Radio Relay League, and is used with permission)

 

If you would like to help, (we always need more help),  call contact Bill Hillendahl KH6GIV, 707-544-4944.

 

Current SF ARES Leadership...

 

*District Emergency Coordinator position is OPEN, contact Bill Hillendahl KH6GIV, 707-544-4944,

to apply for this position.

(707) 544-4944

 

*David Hirtz, KG6CEL,

Emergency Coordinator, SF ARES San Francisco

Email at dhirtz@aol.com

 

Check into the ARES Net, every Wednesday at 8 pm, on the W6PW repeater, 145.150 (-) pl. 114.8

If for some reason W6PW is down, the net will be held on the W6TP machine, 146.790 (-) pl. 114.8

In the event of an Emergency the ARES resource net will be on the W6PW repeater 145.150 (-) pl 114.8

For a List of other ARES nets in the Bay Area

This is a list of Bay Area Emergency Frequencies.

 

Here are some other useful links

Signup with SF ARES by clicking the box below

                                                     

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