A "BLACK SKY" Events when regular communications FAIL and/or additional Talk paths are required.

For all of us ARES members, that means when the power goes out and the repeaters go silent, we need to be ready to provide AUXILLIARY communications for our Client Agencies.

WHAT IS NEEDED:
a) being Equipped with more than an HT and a Rubber Duck antenna for VHF/UHF Voice and Winlink (Data) communications.

b) being Proficient in Voice Nets, Radiogram messages, and Sending- Receiving - Distributing - Storing Winlink messages.

c) getting Experience and becoming comfortable as a Net Control Operator.

d) being prepared and ready to Support communications for 12 hour shifts.

ARES EMERGENCY COMMUNICATOR INDIVIDUAL TASK BOOK
- Start your Task Book... TODAY.

Choose the format you prefer (I like "Fillable")
Fillable Format format.
www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service...TASK-BOOK-V2_1_1.pdf
or
Word format
www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service...TASK-BOOK-V2_1_1.pdf

THE GOOD NEWS
"BLACK SKY Events" are extremely rare in CT.
- So, we get to practice in "BLUE SKY" conditions when learning mistakes and equipment failures are not critical.
This way we can work towards being READY to provide the quality of communications support that our Client Agencies expect.

ARES Operators: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
- Let's build our skill levels together,

1) Check into the Monday night Region 2 Nets on a regular basis
- Analog VHF "Ready" Net @ 7:45 pm (Linked Woodbridge .505 and Killingworth .290 repeaters)
- DMR Net @ 8:15 pm (CT ARES DMR Network - TAC 2 Talk Group)

2) Step-up for some easy On The Job Training to become a Net Control Station.

3) Get Started and Develop Proficiency in WINLINK data communications.
Link: www.ctaresregion2.org/forum/wl2k-rms-exp...started-with-winlink

4) Start checking into the nightly Local Traffic Nets
e.g: CT Phone Net (HF), WESCON (VHF) or NUTMEG (VHF).

- Learn how to Send and Receive RADIOGRAM Traffic Messages so that you can do it from memory on a blank piece of paper - without using the RADIOGRAM FORM.

ARES Trains for "BLACK SKY" Events during "BLUE SKY" practice sessions.