Mark Newby, KX4LEO, Emergency Coordinator
BE A PART OF OUR TEAM
Do you want to be a part of a dedicated team of licensed amateur radio operators who volunteer their time to serve their communities in Sumter County? Call or email us today to learn how you can be a part of our critically important team. Click here to learn how you can be a member of our team.
WHAT IS ARES
In the United States, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, (ARES), is a corps of trained amateur radio operator volunteers organized to assist in public service and emergency communications. It is organized and sponsored at the national level by the American Radio Relay League.
ARES teams participate in preparedness planning and exercises with their local emergency management office, the Red Cross, hospitals, and first responder organizations to be prepared if disaster strikes.
When an unusual occurrence disrupts cellular systems, landlines, the internet and public safety radio systems, ARES volunteers are ready to respond to establish emergency communications until normal systems can be restored.
ARES plays an important role in non-emergency activities as well. Upon request, ARES members provide communications for public events, such as parades, charity bicycle challenges, festivals, and more.
WHAT'S NEW
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2024 Hurricane Expo
The 17th Annual Hurricane Expo will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at the Savanah Recreation Center, 1545 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages, Florida 33597. This event offers all an excellent opportunity to understand just how much hurricanes can impact us, and learn ways to mitigate damage to your property and protect yourself and your family. Along with a number of other organizations, Sumter County ARES will have a presence at the Expo to inform the public how ARES can provide valuable emergency communication services when a disaster strikes.
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Sumter County ARES Meeting
The monthly meeting of Sumter County ARES is conducted on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, starting at 7:30 PM ET. Unless otherwise specified, this meeting is held on-line via Zoom. You DO NOT have to be a member of ARES to participate in this meeting. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. To join the Zoom meeting, go to www.sumterares.org/calendar and navigate to the date. There you will find the link.
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Sumter County ARES VHF Net
The monthly Sumter County ARES VHF Net will be conducted on 4th Thursday of each month beginning at 7:30 PM ET on the K4HOG 147.030 repeater (+ Offset, PL/123.0 Hz). You DO NOT have to be a member of ARES to check into this Net. All licensed amateur radio operators are encourage are welcome and encouraged to partipate. We will use the NetLogger application for logging.