Welcome


Fresno County ARES/RACES Emergency Communications
The Fresno County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) and Fresno County RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services) organizations have joined forces. Although ARES and RACES are separate entities, our members now can have dual membership and provide greater flexibility during emergencies. Using the same operators and the same frequencies, an ARES group also enrolled in RACES can "switch hats" from ARES to RACES and RACES to ARES to meet the requirements of the situation as it develops. For example, during a "non-declared emergency," ARES can operate under ARES, but when an emergency or disaster is officially declared by a state or federal authority, the operation can become RACES with no change in personnel or frequencies.
A joint weekly net is held every Monday night at 19:30 hours on the N6HEW Repeater.
147.15 (+) PL of 141.3
Packet radio is up during the net on 145.030 and sign on to AC6WS-1.
All Fresno County hams are encouraged to participate if they have a desire to serve the community and a willingness to become proficient in emergency communications. If you have a question or would like to join Fresno County ARES/RACES, you may call:
ARRL San Joaquin Valley Section Manager (SM)
Dan Pruitt AE6SX 559-779-2974
Fresno County Emergency Coordinator (EC)
and Fresno County RACES Officer
Glen Caine N6HEW 559-292-4611
Click here to Join Fresno ARES
MAY 2013 ARES/RACES REPORTIt has been a busy month for Emcomm events. We have had three public service events (Big Hat Day Bike Ride, March of Dimes March for Babies, and Shinzen Walk/Run), one training class, four nets, one Emcomm Breakfast, and one Emcomm Meeting. Oh! And one tech license class that started on the 30th of April. Clovis Big Hat Day Bike Ride On the 6th of April, the Fresno Emcomm Group assisted CARP with safety communications for the Clovis Big Hat Day Bike Ride. There were three rides the cyclists could take part in. The first was the Fun Ride (35.2 miles), second was The Metric (57.8 miles) and the Century Route (104.3 miles). The rides began and ended at the South East corner of the Sierra Vista Mall Parking lot. There were four rest stops spread throughout the course, two SAG vehicles with radios and a Command Post at the Start/Finish line all manned by amateur radio operators. Rest Stop 1 was at the Friant Shell Station, Rest Stop 2 was at Spring Valley Rd., Rest Stop 3 at Bass Fork Shell Station, and Rest Stop 4 was located at the Pines at Bass Lake. I would like to thank the following communicators for their help and they are to be commended for a job well done. They were the following: Rob Mavis, AE6GE; Glen Caine, N6HEW; Dan Pruitt, AE6SX; Dwain Breazeale, KG6SYA; Gary Greenberg, KI6OYW; Glen Blomgren, AF6CY; Gwen Blomgren, KO6Y; Patrick May, K6BRW; Andrew Baker, K6DTL; Steve Wickert, AG6JI; Ben Haman, WB6GBS; Richard Weis, AG6IZ; Tim Durham, KE6HNR; Greg Waters, KJ6OUI; Joe Cabral, KJ6TYS; Mike Gunn, KJ6EQV; Doug Wachtell, KE6EOJ Bill Johnson, K6WGJ Fldigi – Flmessage Class Fresno County ARES/RACES will be conducting three classes to help those interested in operating the digital modes via message forms used during a disaster. Richard Pack (KE6SHL) will be presenting the class on three Tuesday evenings: the 16th of April, the 14th of May, and finally the 11th of June. If you need the updated software Richard will have it available and will assist in configuring it to your computer. We are trying to get more people versed in the digital modes before Field Day. Also this is a great resource for passing messages in a time of emergency. Bi-Weekly EmComm Training Sessions--- ‘WebNET’ --- General: This effort is designed to provide additional on-line training opportunities to members of the local EmComm community. The bi-weekly session will be titled ‘Fresno EmComm WebNET’ and will be scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month @ 7:00PM. Each session will last between 30 to 45 minutes depending on attendees, comments, and questions. Associated PDF’s will be posted on the www.fresnoares.com website the weekend prior to the presentation. A two month schedule, updated monthly, listing upcoming topics will also be maintained on the www.fresnoares.com website. As I receive more information with dates and topics I will post or email the group. Glen Caine N6HEW Silent Key It is with great sadness I bring you the news of John McGraw, AE6QR, who became a silent key April 16, 2013, at around 1500 hr. John was one of original members of the now active ARES Group. He will be missed for his humorous tales and great talent for getting us to buy raffle tickets at the club meetings. Please keep his wife, Carol, and the McGraw family in your prayers at this time of mourning. Tech Classes Anyone interested in getting their technician license, the FAME group will be teaching a class at the Salvation Army Citadel stating the 30th of April at 1800 hr. This class will continue on these dates: Thursday the 2nd of May, Tuesday the 7th of May, Thursday the 9th of May, a review on Friday the 10th of May. The test is Saturday the 11th of May. Please pass this information on; we need all the new hams we can get. Net Control Staff Needed We are looking for volunteers to take a turn as net control on Monday nights. This is not a difficult task and is a lot of fun. We will provide the preamble and net roster. This is a great way to enhance your skills running a net for emergency situations. If you are interested, please contact Gary (KI6OYW) at 559-269-1340 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Our Calendar Don’t forget the Monday Night Emcomm Net at 1930 hr. on the 147.15 MHz pl 141.3. We have some good information and camaraderie. On the third Friday of the month there is an Emcomm Breakfast at Yosemite Falls Cafe on Cedar south of Ashlan in Granite Park at 0830hr. And last but not least the Emcomm Meeting will be held on the fourth Thursday this month. The next meeting will be Thursday the 23rd of May, at 1900 hr. at the Salvation Army Citadel at 1854 Fulton St., Fresno. 73, APR 2013 ARES/RACES REPORTI hope you had a great month. I know I did. We assisted CARP with supplying safety communications for the Sanger Blossom Trail Run/Walk held the 2nd of March. I would like to thank all of our people who took part; you all did a fantastic job. Our people were: Greg Waters (KJ6OYUI), Dan Pruitt (AE6SX), Glen Caine (N6HEW), Joe Cabral (KJ6TYS), Tim Durham (KE6HNR) , Ray Harkins (KB6LQV), Lew Roberts (KI6YWX), Patrick May (K6BRW), Gary Greenburg (KI6OYW), Chris Johnson (KJ6OUG), Gwen Blomgren (KO6Y), Glen Blomgren (AF6Y), and Steve Wichert (AG6JI). Thanks again to all for a job well done. This month’s project build |