The really BIG NEWS from the Annual Spring CT ARES meeting, held at the Southngton Hamfest 2014, was the unveiling of the TOP 10 Frequencies (CHIRP File).

You now can be prepared to operate in other CT Regions with the push of a button.

This is a CSV file listing of the Top 10 frequencies for each of the 5 ARES Regions. There are also 9 frequencies listed as Statewide frequencies (1-9).
REGION...Memory Channels
Region 1 (10 - 19)
Region 2 (20 - 29)
Region 3 (30 - 39)
Region 4 (40 - 49)
Region 5 (50 - 59)

Quickly and easily able upload the TOP 10 frequencies for ARES use in each Region to your radio.

While it is not a complete list of frequencies from each Region’s EOP (Emergency Operation Plan), it is a great way for you operational and communicating when you go to assist and arrive in far off foreign lands (read: Regions 1,3,4,5). LOL!

The TOP10 Frequency file is now available for download.
Go to : CTARES.ORG
Look down the left hand column, and click on "CHIRP FREQUENCIES"

CHIRP software (FREE) available for download at:
chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home

There are several good CHIRP related videos on youtube.com .
Here is one with which to start:
Programming Multiple Brands of HTs with CHIRP




WARNING!
Don’t let this be an excuse to forget how to manually program your radio(s).
- If your memory is anything like mine, make a cheat sheet of programing instructions and keep it with the radio.

Clearing Confusion...
Some folks, who are new to the CHIRP concept, have asked if they should enter these frequencies in their radios right away.

The purpose of the CT ARES TOP10 frequency list (TOP10) is so that you have a file to load into your radio AT HOME, and then travel to assist in another Region.
- It is designed to be "good enough" to get you into any of the 5 Regions and start you communicating with others there.

- When you get to the Marshaling Area, it is expected that you will be provided with a full download of that specific Region's complete frequency file.

This system allows you to save your existing frequency memory channels, and swap that file out and replace it with the TOP10 list.

When you are done and have returned home, you can easily swap out the TOP10 file (or the Region's complete frequency file) and replace it with your regular memory channel file that you saved previously.

So, this is what I recommend...
Upload your existing radio's memory channels to CHIRP and SAVE the file.

For testing purposes:
Download the Top10 CHIRP file into your radio.
- Check it out and prove that it works.
Then, upload it back to a CHIRP file, and save that file.

Finally, download your saved original memory channel file that you started with.

I suggest keeping copies of all your CHIRP files handy on Thumb Drive.