Travis County ARES

Chris, KJ5DJC

2025 Field Day!

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We are looking for help for 2025 ARRL Field Day (this year which will be June 28 – 29, 2025).  We’ll be at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (4622 South Lamar, Austin, TX, 78745) alongside the Austin Amateur Radio Club.   To get things started we are looking for members to volunteer to help!

Here is what we need:

Safety Officer – FILLED

  • Conducts a site risk assessment before the event.
  • Ensures all participants follow safety protocols (e.g., fire safety, generator operation, trip hazards).
  • Coordinates with medical personnel or designated first-aiders.
  • Ensures compliance with weather safety plans (e.g., lightning protocols, heat exhaustion prevention).
  • Monitors RF safety and ensures proper grounding of equipment.
  • Provides a safety briefing to all participants.
  • Enforces PPE use (e.g., gloves for setup, hearing protection for generators).
  • Maintains an incident log for any safety concerns or injuries.

Operations Section Chief

  • Oversees all radio operations, ensuring smooth communication across different bands/modes (will act as NetContol during formal / training Nets)
  • Monitors band conditions and adjusts frequency allocations as needed.
  • Coordinates message traffic and logging for event scoring.
  • Ensures backup power and redundant systems are available for operations.
  • Works with the Logistics Section to ensure operators have necessary equipment.
  • Conducts periodic debriefs with operators to assess performance and make adjustments.

Logistics Section Chief

  • Manages site setup, including tents, antennas, power distribution, and other infrastructure.
  • Ensures all necessary supplies (food, water, fuel, lighting, extension cords) are available.
  • Coordinates with vendors or team members for transportation of equipment.
  • Ensures proper generator operation and fuel supply.
  • Maintains an inventory of all equipment and supplies.
  • Arranges for sanitation needs (portable restrooms, trash disposal).
  • Supports the Operations Section by troubleshooting equipment and restocking supplies as needed.

Net Control Operator

  • General class operators willing to take a one or more hour shift(s) to operate the radios and to provide folks with technician or no license to operate on HF frequencies (and to help teach). 

Folks signing up should wear the following:

  • TCARES T-shirt (we will be proving these)
  • Black tactical pants 
  • Black shoes / work boots

Or if you just would like to learn what it means to serve in one of these roles, we welcome you to sign up to shadow / learn.  We are also going to need General class or higher 

If you would like to sign up as a Net Operators, please use this form:

https://forms.gle/8qYNShApP43fbiot5

If you are interested in serving in a leadership role or would like to shadow, please reach out to myself or Glenn directly.

TCARES Logos

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If you are looking for our logos, please check out GitHub:

The ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) logos being shared are the property and copyright of TCARES (Travis County Amateur Radio Emergency Services). They are provided for the sole purpose of promoting activities, training events, and emergency preparedness initiatives directly related to ARES and its mission. Use of these logos is permitted only by members of the local ARES group or affiliated emergency communications teams operating under the guidance or with the approval of TCARES leadership.

These logos may be used in printed materials, digital communications, social media, uniforms, and signage, provided the usage maintains the integrity of the logos and reflects positively on ARES and TCARES. The logos may not be altered, distorted, or combined with other graphics in a way that could misrepresent the organization or imply endorsement of non-affiliated entities. Any commercial use, or use outside the scope of ARES-related communications and promotions, requires prior written permission from TCARES.

Communicating with NetControl

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When on a formal net it is necessary to communicate clearly and effectively with net control. To that end, there is are standard keywords that are used. Here is a list of standards that are used within TCARES (and other ARES nets)

SituationTransmissionExpectation
Acknowledge Last TransmissionCOPYConfirming last transmission and content
Request retransmitting the last transmissionSAY AGAIN?Last station to retransmit information from most recent transmission
Retransmitting the last transmissionI SAY AGAIN [content]Beginning of retransmitting the most recent transmission
Request to provide relevant informationINFORequesting to provide relevant information to the most recent transmission
Request to provide a relevant commentCOMMENTRequesting to provide a comment in context with the QSO
Request to provide a correction to recent transmissionCORRECTIONRequest to provide a correction to the current QSO’s content
Request to relay informationRELAYRequesting to relay information to the current QSO
Request to interrupt Net ControlBREAKRequesting the attention of the Net Control Operator
Request to provide emergency informationBREAK BREAK BREAKBroadcasting the need to provide emergency information during a NET or QSO
Request to provide traffic [information][CALLSIGN] WITH TRAFFICStation requesting to provide traffic/information
Acknowledging the requested station to proceedGO AHEAD [CALLSIGN]The station calling will proceed with the requested traffic/information
Confirming acknowledgement without traffic/info[CALLSIGN] NO TRAFFICStation confirming acknowledgement without any traffice/information

A big thanks to Phil, AA5EX for putting this together!