Gaston County Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Gaston County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) is affiliated with
the ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League).  The purpose of Gaston County ARES is
 to provide communications in the public service in times of emergencies or disasters
and to support Emergency Management services including FEMA and the American Red Cross.

Our meetings and nets are open to ALL Amateur Radio Operators.   Please Come Join Us!

 

The Gaston County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (A.R.E.S.) is a 501 (c3) non-profit organization made up of trained amateur radio operators. During times of emergency, disasters, bad weather, fire, automobile accidents, etc. our skills, time, and equipment are volunteered in the service to the public, providing vital, sometimes lifesaving communications where no others are available.

 

The Gaston County A.R.E.S. was officially organized in February 2001 with members devoting their time and resources in establishing an organization that would help with local, state, and national emergency communications plans, plus strengthen and broaden our knowledge of radio and communication skills.

 

Locally the Gaston County A.R.E.S. works with Gaston County Emergency Management, along with several other agencies, (Homeland Security, Red Cross, National Weather Service, FEMA and others) to assure the safety and welfare of the citizens of Gaston county should an emergency occur. During the year, the Gaston county A.R.E.S. participates with Gaston County Emergency Management and the Gaston County Red Cross in several emergency and disaster scenarios.

 

 
Here is a list of events and activities for the Gaston county A.R.E.S.

 

Monthly ARES Meeting:
The Gaston County A.R.E.S. holds their meetings on the last Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Gaston County Emergency Operation's Center.  At these meetings, A.R.E.S. members are informed of any news, updates, and regularly practice or train skills that may be required during an activation or exercise.

FIELD DAY:
The Gaston County ARES in conjunction with GCARS (Gaston County Amateur Radio Society) and GAARC (Gastonia Area Amateur Radio Club) participates in the annual ARRL Field Day event each June.  During Field Day, members of the Gaston County ARES work together  to set up and operate under simulated emergency conditions. This is a great event to put our skills and talents to work.  The Gaston County ARES also uses Field Day not only as as a way to demonstrate to the public and  the local agencies it's capabilities as an emergency communications organization, but also demonstrate the many great feature and benefits of amateur radio

Weekly Test Via Emergency Training Nets:
Gaston County A.R.E.S. holds a weekly training net on Thursday's at 7:00 p.m. on the 145.230 (W4BFB) repeater.  The nets are used to pass traffic and information to local HAMS.  This also allows operators to check and test their amateur radio equipment.  Simplex nets are also held to practice communicating across the county via simplex mode. In addition GCARS holds a net on 444.55 at 8:30 PM Tuesdays and one on 147.12 at 9:00 PM that are ARES affiliated and also GAARC does the same at 8:00 PM Wednesdays on 146.805, 100hz tone.

The Boy Scout's Merit Badge University:
The most recent merit badge university was held on Saturday, March 20th, 2004 at Gaston Day School.  Those involved assisted helping over 30 scouts obtain their radio or electronic merit badges.  Gaston County A.R.E.S. has been involved for several years and enjoys sharing the hobby of amateur radio with the scouts.

The Community Foundation's Run For The Money:
On Saturday, March 27th, 2004 The Gaston County A.R.E.S. set up a booth at the "Run For The Money".  This is an event to help promote non-profit groups throughout the county.  This event helped the Gaston County A.R.E.S. promote amateur radio and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service to the public and raised over $300.00 for the A.R.E.S. organization.

The United Way's "Day Of Caring":
Over the past several years, members of the Gaston County A.R.E.S. have volunteered their time to provide communications to those organizations involved in this event.  This event allows members to utilize their skills to provide a service to those organizations involved in this event, plus give back to the community..

The Gastonia Christmas Parade:
Members of the Gaston County A.R.E.S. have assisted the Gaston County Jaycees with communications for the Christmas parade for the past several years.

Run Around Spencer Mountain 5/10K races:
Members of the Gaston County A.R.E.S. and G.A.A.R.C. have assisted the Gaston County Amateur Radio Society (GCARS) with emergency communications on the 2nd Saturday of November each year

Annual Duke Power Nuclear Drills (McGuire and/or Catawba):
The Gaston County A.R.E.S. regularly participates in annual nuclear drills.  Members provide shelter communications along with communications and active links to and from the Emergency Operation's Center (EOC).

Amateur Radio Technician Class:
The Gaston County A.R.E.S. has sponsored several amateur radio technician classes.  These classes have been very beneficial in promoting and expanding amateur radio in Gaston County and surrounding areas.  The technician class of 2004 yielded over 15 new HAMS to the hobby.

Annual Statewide SET:
The Gaston County A.R.E.S. participates in the ARRL's annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET).  This event allows the Gaston County A.R.E.S. to practice their skills during the regular monthly meetings and to test equipment, links, and modes.

Skywarn:
Gaston County A.R.E.S. has been proud to sponsor several Skywarn classes.  Locally the Gaston County A.R.E.S. has sponsored the basic and advanced Skywarn class as well as the radar class.  With the threat of severe weather during the Summer months, members and local HAMS are encouraged to keep up to date with their Skywarn training.

September 11, 2001:
Gaston County ARES were called into service by the Gaston County Emergency Management to furnish emergency communications back-up incase Charlotte, NC was one of the terrorist targets on 9 -11.

Ice Storm 2002:
After a devastating Winter storm hit Gaston County, knocking out power to most of the area, the Gaston County A.R.E.S. was called into action.  Members provided communications at 2 Red Cross shelters and were active at the EOC to support the shelter communications and provide links to and from other agencies.

Hurricane Isabel 2003:
As Hurricane Isabel was wreaking havoc along the North Carolina coast, members of the Gaston County A.R.E.S. were monitoring the situation at the EOC to provide any assistance from outside the effected areas should it have been needed.