[K3CAL] ARRL Em Communications course for ARES/RACES operators

[Wayne Rogers]

Jim:  I'm not sure where you got the "required" idea.  Hopefully Dennis will chime in - he's the expert on the training aspect of emergency readiness.  As far as I know the only required courses are the FEMA NIMS courses, I believe ICS-100, 200, 300 and 400.  They are free through FEMA, and you need them to work with RACES.  We 'can' require the ARRL training and certification at the local level, but to my knowledge we have not done this.  Again, Dennis is the source for this.

The ARRL course is a good course and worthwhile for anyone working in emergency comm.  But not required, as far as I know.  And your not likely to get ARRL to change their mind about the fee - from what I understand they are struggling financially.

Wayne N1WR


From: Jim Tetlow 
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 10:12 AM
To: 'Calvert Amateur Radio Association - K3CAL' 
Subject: [K3CAL] ARRL Em Communications course for ARES/RACES operators


Hello all, 

 

           I am sending this out to all as I find it somewhat upsetting; a communications volunteer and a member of ARRL has to PAY ($50.) to take a required emergency communications lesson EC-001 that was given earlier (Em Comm 1, 2, & 3) that was given pre 2011 for free.

 

I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel that $50.00 can be a lot more useful to me for groceries, now that I have a fixed retirement income. Paying for this course so I can be a volunteer using my time and radio equipment, is really a slap to my face, makes me wonder if I really want to renew my ARRL membership. I really don't know what I am paying dues (annual membership) for......the leaflets promoting persons to get into ham radio? That seems to be the only non-cost items available to members now. The Handbook was $3.50 in 1962; $4.50 in 1974; $49.95 in 2010; thank God someone gave me a 2011 Handbook as a present!

 

In reading into the attached information sheet, the persons whom qualified for certification on the earlier 3 units do not have to recertify at this juncture (that will most likely be something new for 2012). Any instructors and managers will have to recertify; instructors, before they can certify or mentor new students.

 

Remember those that are able to volunteer their time in emergencies or participate in planned event exercises, are usually those that are retired. Even though there is some that qualify, most retirement pensions aren't $150,000.00 per year.

 

If enough members of CARA, a RACES / ARES club, agree with some of my statements; maybe, we as a club, should send in a letter to ARRL extending our views on the costs for Volunteer Communications Courses, or there will be only 4 or 5 certified ARES members in CARA. I can't be one of them at this time.

 

Your comments are welcome, as I may just be A Miser of an Old Man, Pincher of Pennies, Old Foggy Fart, after all. (AMOMPOPOFF)

 

Regards,

Jim Tetlow

 

K3UGA

jimtetlow at chesapeake.net

 



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