[FLARES] ARRL BOD Report on ARES

[Ron Wetjen]

Evans Mitchell kd4efm / afa2th fl wrote:

>>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.
> 
> 
> might not be but how would you suggest we handle this if we do not have an 
 > established nts traffic net on a certain frequency and at a
 > certain time...??

Why even worry about that?  Any "traffic" ARES generates, is either 
"local" point-to-point traffic (i.e., EOC to Red Cross) 
section-to-section (i.e., SFL to WCF), or statewide traffic (i.e., State 
EOC to sections).  We're talking DIRECTLY to who we need to talk to. 
Where is the need for NTS in this situation?

Local ARES "traffic" is usually a status report, request for supplies, 
bulletins, etc.  This is handled as everyday talk on the radio or simply 
handing the microphone to the Emergency Management director to talk with 
the Red Cross director.  No need for NTS here either, since the two 
people who need to talk, are talking DIRECTLY to each other!

Going back to your question, "how would you suggest we handle this if we 
do not have an established nts traffic net on a certain frequency and at 
a certain time...??"

For what purpose?

If you're worried about how we'll all talk to each other, we've already 
got that part covered.  When a section is activated, you can find nets 
on the following frequencies:

West Central Florida ARES 3911 or 7281 kHz
South Florida ARES 3940 kHz
North Florida ARES 3950 or 7275 kHz
State RACES 3990.5 or 7253.5 kHz

These nets are well established and well known.  If someone needs to 
talk to Sarasota County, the EOC (and/or Red Cross) is on 3911 or 7281 
... just give us a call!  No need for NTS.

(If you're really worried about sending NTS traffic, Florida Midday Net 
7247 kHz.)

 > I sure I can give the turtle net the H&W and then the intercomm's
 > would be routed through ARES.

Simply answer this.  What kind of ARES traffic are you generating that 
would need NTS?  Look at it this way.  To send NTS traffic, you're going 
from point A, to point A1, to point A2, to point A3, to point A4, before 
finally getting to point B.  ARES traffic is going directly from point A 
to B!  Why add the extra steps (and time) if you don't have to?  It 
makes no sense to operate that way in an ARES situation.

It seems like we have a solution (NTS) ... but no problem (traffic to 
send using NTS).  From what I've read the ARRL wants to know ... how can 
we tie ARES into NTS?  If ARES operates as I describe above (which I 
think is the norm), then there is no need for NTS in an ARES situation, 
and that's exactly what the ARRL report concludes.  When the ARRL asked 
the NTS folks what they can offer ARES ... they couldn't come up with an 
answer.  That should tell you plenty.

Ron