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An ARES®/RACES team in Texas was called out to help with communications following an apparent carbon monoxide incident at a local middle school on August 27. Team member Liz Brown, K5EMB, reports the school’s roughly 1,200 students were evacuated to a nearby stadium. Staff members found it difficult to communicate from one side of the facility to the other, so the city’s Emergency Management Coordinator requested help from the Carrollton-Farmers Branch-Addison ARES®/RACES group. While the communications problems were quickly resolved, the hams were asked to remain and “shadow” certain school officials until all students and parents were reunited about 4 hours later. —Thanks to Rich Moseson, W2VU, The ARRL Letter |
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| | | Hurricane Isaias Response |
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| Florida Hams Provide Communications Support During Hurricane Isaias
Amateur radio operators from Florida’s Santa Rosa, Nassau, Lake, Pinellas, and Leon Counties played an important role in supporting emergency communications efforts during and following Hurricane Isaias, helping ensure that critical communication capabilities remained available throughout the storm.
In Santa Rosa County, volunteer amateur radio operators staffed the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the evacuation shelter at the Milton Community Center. These volunteers provided a communications link between the shelter and the EOC, relaying situational updates and maintaining readiness to support emergency communications should traditional systems become unavailable.
Amateur radio operators across the state also supported auxiliary communications efforts, providing additional capabilities to maintain contact with the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee if conventional communication networks experienced disruptions.
“While traditional communications systems have become significantly more reliable over the years, amateur radio continues to serve as a dependable auxiliary communications resource,” said Santa Rosa County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) Program Manager Arc Thames, W4CPD. “When disaster strikes, our volunteers are trained, prepared, and ready to step in wherever we’re needed. It’s another layer of resiliency that helps protect our communities.”
Thames also serves as the ARRL Northern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator and the Amateur Radio Liaison to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, supporting the coordination of amateur radio and auxiliary communications resources statewide.
“During tropical weather events impacting Florida, our Auxiliary Communications team provides volunteer operators to monitor amateur radio communications at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee,” Thames explained. “This ensures that if someone is unable to reach emergency officials through traditional means, we have another way to receive and relay critical information. We always hope we're not needed, but we're glad to be there just in case when all else fails.” — Thanks to ARRL Northern Florida SEC Arc Thames, W4CPD, and The ARRL Letter
Mississippi Active for Isaias
Between October 6 and October 9, 2026, Mississippi ARES monitored, mobilized, and staged statewide operational readiness for Hurricane Isaias. Initial numerical modeling and dynamic guidance presented significant spread across the central and northern Gulf Coast, indicating potential Category 2 to Category 3 landfall between southeastern Louisiana, coastal Mississippi, southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.
Mississippi was fortunate to miss a direct strike from the hurricane. The system rapidly intensified over unseasonably warm Gulf waters (84 °F–86 °F), reaching peak sustained winds of 120 mph (958 mb central pressure). Crucially, the ultimate steering pattern and center track did not solidify until just hours prior to landfall, steering the core sharply northeastward toward southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
Because of this late eastward deflection, coastal and southeastern Mississippi remained on the weaker western (clean) side of the circulation, averting catastrophic storm surge (3–7 feet forecast) and widespread hurricane-force wind damage. Mississippi ARES activated on SSB and DMR at 1200 CDST on Friday, October 9, and stood down at 2200 CDST that evening. —ARRL Mississippi Section Emergency Coordinator Robert Hayes, KC5IMN |
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| Amateur Radio Delivers Over 670 USGS ShakeOut “DYFI” Reports in Major Emergency Communications Exercise |
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| When the ground moves, seconds count—and when standard telecommunications collapse, emergency management depends on ground-truth reports from operators already in the field. During the 2026 Great ShakeOut exercise, amateur radio operators across the country and around the globe came together, joining forces as a dedicated community to demonstrate why auxiliary communications remain a vital lifeline for disaster response and seismic science.
The 2026 exercise was designed and managed end-to-end by ARES LAX Northeast and the Emcomm Training Organization (ETO), led by Oliver Dully, K6OLI, and Bob Tykulsker, KM6SO, in direct operational alignment with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Major elements included: Scientific Collaboration: The USGS earthquake hazards team continues to pioneer institutional openness to auxiliary radio data, establishing a real-world testing ground for zero-infrastructure citizen science. Exercise Architecture: ARES LAX Northeast and ETO developed the scenarios, standardized templates, GIS ingestion pipelines, and automated reporting dashboards. Field Advocacy & Global Reach: Turnout spanning 43 states and 11 nations was driven by countless local and regional champions, including European and Caribbean partners, specialized training groups like Winlink Treff and WLNET-OE, RATPAC, regional nets across the US, and many emergency coordinators who mobilized their local sections and clubs. A big thank you to all who advocated for ShakeOut and made this a meaningful local exercise.
The response was swift, disciplined, and massive. As the operational window headed into its final weekend, the USGS event portal had received over 670 direct “Did You Feel It?” (DYFI) reports originated by amateur radio operators. More than 610 individual participants mobilized across 43 US states and 11 countries, routing well over 1,100 digital DYFI, Preparedness Survey, and Quiz messages via Winlink Express Telnet, Packet, PACTOR, and VARA protocols.
Scientific Utility Meets Tactical Rigor
Unlike routine check-in nets, the 2026 ShakeOut demanded end-to-end data precision. Using standardized Winlink templates, hams compiled simulated seismic intensity reports—quantifying shaking levels, damage observations, and building performance—and transmitted them directly into the USGS scientific pipeline.
Beyond raw volume, the exercise provided valuable data-hygiene insights, highlighting key areas like geocoding consistency between street addresses and coordinate pairs that will inform future template refinements and operator training.
This joint drill validated that amateur radio is not merely a backup voice channel; it is an agile, zero-infrastructure data pipeline capable of feeding mission-critical ground truth into national emergency dashboards when commercial internet and cellular systems go dark.
In addition to Winlink reporting, local voice and data nets managed real-time check-ins and check-outs across participating regions. For example, the regional SoCal ShakeOut net, co-hosted by San Diego ARES and ARES LAX, logged 43 active participants, while numerous other local groups operated dedicated ShakeOut nets to handle regional traffic and coordinate ground team reports.
Proven Knowledge and Deep Preparedness
Alongside seismic reports, participants tackled an earthquake science and preparedness quiz as part of an extensive all-hazards preparedness audit: Earthquake Science & Preparedness Knowledge: Operators posted an exceptional 94% average score on the exercise quiz, demonstrating mastery of earthquake science fundamentals, USGS intensity terminology (MMI vs. magnitude), and recommended protective actions like Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Station & Household Readiness: On a 25-point comprehensive preparedness scale measuring essential supplies, emergency power, communications gear, and household plans, participants averaged 18.9 out of 25 (75.6%).
These figures challenge the misconception that disaster exercises are merely hobbyist drills. They prove that participating amateur radio operators are well-equipped, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in community resilience.
Looking Ahead
With the operational submission window now closed, final figures and post-exercise maps will be consolidated and shared across regional teams. The data gathered from the ShakeOut scenario demonstrates that effective disaster response begins at home and extends into our communities. Moving forward, operators and community members alike are urged to strengthen personal, family, and neighborhood preparedness—ensuring household safety and local resilience while continuing to serve as a vital ground-truth reporting network for the USGS during major seismic events.
Detailed map dashboards, participation breakdowns, and exercise resources remain available at https://www.emcomm-training.org/Winlink_Thursdays.html and laxnortheast.org/exercises/shakeout. — Oliver Dully, K6OLI (DEC, ARES LAX Northeast), and Bob Tykulsker, KM6SO (ETO) |
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| Amateur Radio at the Elm Creek (Minnesota) Half Marathon |
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| September 12, 2026--With just over 1100 runners, this was our second year supporting the event in Elm Creek Park Reserve, just northwest of Minneapolis. At 4,900 acres, this large park has several hills that can block repeater signals. The race director was out of town for this one, so extra time was allocated to brief hams on the route safety details. We were provided (and were part of) a detailed medical plan. Half marathons can have serious health situations, particularly with heatstroke, so we had the full list of capabilities—a medical tent, EMS rigs, aid stations, and running medics, who have a red shirt and first aid fanny pack to provide care in a hurry.
Hams were assigned to complex trail crossings. At my stop, we again saw the ability of runners, presumably “in the zone” or wearing earbuds, to blast through signs, arrows, and cones down the wrong trail at intersections. This kept us entertained (we learned the proper wave) and we kept an eye out for injuries.
The medical director was not a ham, and we had to keep her and her team, and the other race officials informed. We ended up handing them a handheld on “scan” mode so they could listen in. We are now testing PTT-over-cellular (POC) radios at a larger event. Best practice at the moment here is probably Zello at Work.
We signed out a Hennepin County Sheriff amateur service repeater (146.82 MHz) which was not far away and on a massive tower. (My tow vehicle for our portable repeater trailer was in the repair shop.) This worked well except at my location, where I could hear the repeater output but could not get in. Cell coverage was excellent and we had a text chat group.
The runners had to turn right off the trail, do a U-turn to avoid some old boards, and then go through the water stop and up another hill to the west. Signs, a cowbell, a dozen orange cones and vigorous waving usually worked. We had seven operators, and provided an ICS 205 form, used the existing medical plan, and did not have a net control. Jen Zielinski, KFØMPK, a former EMT, was our lead. With cool weather, we had just one serious injury. 911 was called and a medical cart responded. —Erik Westgard, NY9D, Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator for Events, ARRL Minnesota Section |
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| Letters: Alaska Earthquake |
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| I enjoyed the September ARES Letter summary of amateur radio responses to significant events over the years. The 1964 Alaska earthquake, also known as the Great Alaska Earthquake and the Good Friday Earthquake, occurred at 5:36 PM AKST on Good Friday, March 27, 1964. One of the lower 48 states’ responding stations and maybe the first to receive messages from Alaska, was Al Francisco, K7NHV. Al was an active member of the ARRL National Traffic System in Montana at the time and, on that evening, started receiving emergency traffic from Alaska. He spent the following 2 to 3 days handling emergency traffic and routing it into the NTS. Many other amateurs were involved, but Al was only 17 years old at the time. Quite an effort and an indication of future excellence for Al. —Ward Silver, NØAX, St. Charles, Missouri |
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| Letters: Portable Winlink Sysops Station |
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| I was inspired to build a portable Winlink sysops station that I could use almost anywhere and link to my mini Starlink antenna for the internet. I live in Alaska and there are not that many options for hitting a Winlink Sysops base station. I actually live between two of them but due to terrain and obstacles, I could not hit either of them from my home base, so I established my own VHF packet base station, but also came up with the idea of building a portable system. I built a portable unit and the Matanuska Amateur Radio Association/Club in Wasilla, Alaska, tested it out for the first time with a mini-Starlink satellite dish, and it worked perfectly.
Now, I am wondering how many other emergency preparedness organizations or individuals have thought about doing this. I never heard nor read any discussion or articles about it. Obviously not everyone could do it but it could be done at other radio clubs and organizations if they were lacking connectivity in their area. I think about all the communities that had disasters and normal communications completely wiped out. I can set up a VHF sysops station and Starlink with an antenna mounted on top of my car or on a tripod for higher coverage.
I posted on Facebook under Amateur Radio Alaska: “A marriage between Winlink RMS Express and Starlink Satellite.” —Ken Hudson, KL2HF, with thanks to Rich Moseson, W2VU, The ARRL Letter |
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| | ARRL has a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The agency and its partners released a new study that provides key insights into challenges faced by emergency managers across the nation. The “Emergency Management Organizational Structures, Staffing, and Capacity Study” confirms that the country’s emergency management system is strongest when it is locally led, state managed, and federally supported. The study surveyed over 1,700 emergency management officials nationwide and found that local and state agencies are best positioned to understand and address the unique needs of their communities.
“FEMA is focused on empowering state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to lead through all phases of emergency management,” said Administrator Cameron Hamilton. “This study makes clear that a one-size-fits-all, federally driven approach will never be as effective as community-led efforts. FEMA will continue to partner with officials at every level of government, empowering them to build local capabilities and invest in resilience efforts.”
FEMA sponsored the study to better understand the emergency management landscape. The report finds that local emergency management agencies are critical to our nation’s resilience, but it also finds that those organizations are typically understaffed and underfunded.
For decades, many states have relied excessively on federal grants to maintain emergency response capabilities—to their own detriment. To strengthen their resilience against disasters and emergencies, states, tribal nations, territories, and local jurisdictions should consistently invest in their own emergency management capabilities.
This study was funded by FEMA and conducted by the Argonne National Laboratory, Big City Emergency Managers (BCEM), the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM-USA), and the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), which also collaborated on the study.
In addition to publishing the study’s findings as a report, FEMA worked with the Argonne National Laboratory to launch the National Emergency Management Data Explorer (NEMDEX) tool. This tool is available to help review and analyze the summary information gathered from the local survey component of the study. Community leaders can review the findings to make informed, strategic decisions on investment and capacity building efforts.
To view the report and access the NEMDEX tool, please visit the Argonne National Laboratory. |
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| | | Support ARES®: Join ARRL |
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| ARES® is a program of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio®. No other organization works harder than ARRL to promote and protect amateur radio! ARRL members enjoy many benefits and services including digital magazines, e-newsletters, online learning (learn.arrl.org), and technical support. Membership also supports programs for radio clubs, on-air contests, Logbook of The World®, ARRL Field Day, and the all-volunteer ARRL Field Organization. Join ARRL or renew today! www.arrl.org/join The ARES Letter is free of charge to ARRL members. Subscribe: www.arrl.org/subscribe Find ARRL on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (@arrl and @arrl_ares), and Threads ARRL Store: www.arrl.org/shop Support programs not funded by member dues at www.arrl.org/donate Contact us to advertise in this newsletter (space subject to availability): ads@arrl.org |
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The ARES Letter is published on the third Wednesday of each month. ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member Data Page at www.arrl.org/opt-in-out. Copyright © 2026 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes require written permission. |
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