[FLARES] ARRL BOD Report on ARES

[Ron Wetjen]

Dave Armbrust wrote:

> First of all I would like to say "great discussion".

Agreed ... although we have a couple different threads going at once!

> The biggest question facing the VRC was "Can NTS be modernized so 
 > that it better address the needs of ARES and/or Emergency
 > Communication as the need exists today?"

I think the question should be "What use does ARES have of NTS?"  What 
exactly would ARES use NTS for?  Other than in drills to practice 
formatting an NTS message, I can't ever recall a time where an NTS 
message was actually sent!

With too many other options available, there are easier and faster ways 
to get messages out.  Most EOC's or Red Cross Chapter Houses have (or 
should have) HF capabilities (if they are not wiped out by BPL - sorry, 
another subject!).  If we need to talk to someone in Florida, there's 
typically an ARES net active where we can directly call the station we 
want to talk to.

On a local basis, the person we need to talk to is at the Red Cross, the 
EOC, in a shelter, or out in the field.  We can simply call them on the 
radio and speak with them.  Both of these instances do not require NTS 
do to.

There was a time when you could set up an "NTS booth" somewhere and send 
a "radiogram" to Grandma.  The public thought that was "neat"!  Now you 
pick up your NEXTEL phone and can "chat" with Grandma or even send her a 
picture of that Amateur "radiogram" booth!  Amateur Radio's "gee whiz, 
you can do anything" factor is no longer there, and that is making us 
more of a non-entity in the eyes of many.

The job of ARES is not to generate "H&W" traffic (which would be the job 
of the NTS to forward).  The job of ARES is to support and/or supplement 
local communications efforts and pass any messages directly between 
local or state officials and agencies.

I don't see how an NTS system fits into this scheme ... and it looks 
like neither do too many others.  If NTS (and ARES) wants to fit in and 
remain viable, they will have to adapt and change their ways to fit into 
modern day situations ... and not rely on what they did 10 or more years 
ago.  If they don't adapt and change, they'll find themselves on the 
outside looking in.

Ron, WD4AHZ