The MARC AUXCOMM/ARES group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at White River Township Fire Station 51, which is located at 3016 Olive Branch Road in Greenwood.
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and AUXCOMM both operate under the guidelines of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Part 97 rules, which cover the Amateur Radio Service.
ARES is a part of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Organization. It has been developed since 1935 to provide a voluntary non-commercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. The purpose of ARES as stated under “Basis and Purpose” in 97.1 (a) of the FCC’s Part 97 rules is the “Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public” ARES consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.
On the other hand, AUXCOMM is embedded on a state-by-state basis into its requirements for establishing professional public safety emergency responders. It seems clear that while ARES is the public service organization that trains and organizes amateurs for emergencies, AUXCOMM integrates these trained individuals into the professional emergency response framework.
In the Mid-State Amateur Radio Club, we’re working to make it easier for the general public and first responder community to get help from the amateur radio community, by eliminating the confusion about “who do I call” and having a single group focused on both aspects of fulfilling the public service purpose of Part 97. All MARC members are welcome to participate in the group and all you need are a valid amateur radio license (most of the time we will be within Technician operating privileges and a desire to help and learn. Access to basic radio equipment such as an HT would help as well, but we will not allow not having equipment be the reason someone who is ready to help cannot.
This month would be a great time to come out and consider becoming part of AUXCOMM/ARES group. I hope to see you there!
