Official ARES Section activations are state-level activations authorized by the Section Emergency Coordinator, as requested by the Minnesota State Duty Officer, Minnesota Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (MNVOAD) or by local agencies.
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MN-ECN COMMEX (Communications Exercise) "NorthStar"
Benton Jackson, K0BHJ, COMT, AuxComm, MN ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
I participated in a MN Department of Public Safety Emergency Communications Network (MN-ECN) exercise up at Camp Ripley. Several MN ARES members attended this exercise, and I hope to get more involved next year.
I have a couple articles and a video from that to share.
Here's my journal from the experience.
https://k0ltc.org/2023-mn-ecn-commex-northstar/
Here's an article MN-ECN just released:
https://dps.mn.gov/blog/Pages/20230907-ecn-communications-unit.aspx
And a video on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=762518305678415
Same video on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7acpmwLRAp4
The ARRL Minnesota State Convention will attract amateur radio operators from throughout the Upper Midwest for an all-day learning experience. It’s an important educational initiative that aims to develop a pool of radio operators ready to provide emergency communications in Minnesota communities. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the preeminent national organization supporting US Amateur Radio. It is through ARRL that ham radio partners with FEMA to support response recovery efforts in the wake of disasters.
We have painstakingly designed this conference to give you as much diversity of knowledge and subjects to enhance your ability to communicate effectively in whatever mode or operation you desire. Some of this you will already know, but maybe not completely. Even the most knowledgeable ham operator has some challenges of operations in their abilities. We hope this conference meets with your approval. Please take a moment and look over all of the offerings. You may select up to 5 to register, however, depending on the number of attendees taking a given seminar, we will determine which seminars are offered at each hour and some might be opposite the ones you choose. We suggest you have alternative choices for when you arrive. You will be able to determine which seminar you wish to attend upon your arrival and seeing the schedule at that time. Space in each seminar is limited.
For more information and to register Click Here
Have information or an upcoming event that you feel would benefit the Minnesota Amateur Radio Emergency Service team? Cick here to send it in.
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Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) is a popular hobby and service in which licensed Amateur Radio operators (hams) operate communications equipment. Although Amateur Radio operators get involved for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles, and pass an examination for the FCC license to operate on radio frequencies known as the "Amateur Bands." These bands are radio frequencies reserved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use by ham radio operators. READ MORE
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Using Amateur Radio in the classroom is a proven and effective way to teach both fact and theory and align with state and national learning objectives. With the help of the ARRL Education & Technology Program, you can build a foundation of wireless technology literacy for yourself and your and students. READ MORE
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.