When disaster strikes and cell towers, internet, and commercial power fail, two volunteer amateur radio organizations step in to provide the last line of reliable communication for served agencies (Red Cross, FEMA, state/local EOCs, hospitals, etc.):
- ARES® (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) – Sponsored by the ARRL, works with any agency (NGOs, hospitals, Red Cross, etc.)
- RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) – Government-only (FCC Part 97.407), activated by federal, state, or local government, often integrated with FEMA or state emergency management
Many hams who belong to both groups usually share the same frequencies and nets in practice.
Readers should also consider reading-
- Understanding Emergency Traffic Nets
- Frequencies for Disaster Response: Coast Guard, Maritime, National Guard, and Military Channels
- The Complete NOAA Weather Radio Frequency List
- ARES and RACES Frequencies: A Comprehensive Guide
- List of FEMA Frequencies
- Ham radio Hurricane Net Frequencies
- Salvation Army Satern Frequencies
Nationwide & Common Regional ARES/RACES Frequencies
These are the most universally recognized and monitored frequencies/net times across the U.S. Local sections and districts publish additional repeaters and simplex frequencies — always check your ARRL Section or state RACES plan.
HF Nationwide (Voice)
Band | Frequency | Mode | Primary Use / Net Name |
|---|---|---|---|
80m | 3.975 MHz | LSB | Nighttime regional, many state RACES nets |
80m | 3.993 MHz | LSB | Region 7 RACES, others |
40m | 7.250 MHz | LSB | Daytime primary (avoid contest weekends) |
40m | 7.265 MHz | LSB | Alternate (West Coast heavy use) |
20m | 14.265 MHz | USB | Health & Welfare + some state EOCs |
20m | 14.325 MHz | USB | SATERN (Salvation Army) backup |
60m | Channel 3 – 5.348.5 kHz USB (center) | NVIS interstate & state EOCs (shared with FEMA) | |
60m | Channel 5 – 5.371.5 kHz USB | Alternate NVIS |
National Hurricane Watch Net (during tropical events)
- 14.325 MHz USB (day)
- 7.268 MHz LSB (night)
VHF/UHF National Calling & Liaison Frequencies (Simplex)
Band | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
2m | 146.520 MHz | National Simplex Calling |
2m | 146.550 MHz | Common ARES/RACES tactical simplex |
70cm | 446.000 MHz | National Simplex Calling |
1.25m | 223.500 MHz | Simplex calling (where used) |
Common 2-Meter Repeater Pairs Used by ARES/RACES (varies by area)
- Output 145.110–145.500 MHz & 147.000–147.390 MHz (almost always –600 kHz offset, PL 100.0 Hz very common)
- Wide-area linked systems: 146.880 (CA, TX, FL, etc.), 146.760, 145.230, etc.
Major Nationwide & Regional Voice Nets (weekly or daily)
Net Name | Frequency | Time (local) | Coverage / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
SATERN (Salvation Army) | 14.265 MHz | Daily 1100 ET | Health & Welfare traffic |
Hurricane Watch Net | 14.325 MHz | Activated for storms | Direct liaison to NHC |
National Traffic System (NTS) | Various HF | Multiple cycles | Formal written traffic handling |
Region 7 RACES Net | 3.993 / 7.250 | Sundays 1900 CT | Midwest states |
California CALNET | 7.250 MHz | Daily 1630 PT | Very active |
Your state or ARRL section will have its own published list — always start there.
How to Volunteer with ARES in 2025 — Actionable Steps
- Get Licensed
Minimum: Technician class (gives you VHF/UHF privileges). General or Extra strongly recommended for HF deployments. - Complete Required Training (FEMA IS-courses) – 100% free
- IS-100.c – Introduction to Incident Command System
- IS-200.c – ICS for Single Resources
- IS-700.b – National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- IS-800.d – National Response Framework
Most ARES groups now require at least these four (ARRL EC-001 equivalency).
- Join Your Local ARES Group
Find your Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) at www.arrl.org/ares
Register on the ARRL ARES database (most sections use it now). - Typical Minimum Equipment to Be Deployable
- Dual-band (2m/70cm) 50W mobile or 65+W HT with external antenna
- Spare batteries / 12V power capability (go-box or car)
- Headset or speaker-mic (you’ll be copying for hours)
- Laptop or tablet with fldigi/Winlink for digital if your group uses it
- Go-kit: coax, adapters (BNC↔PL-259), power poles, clipboard, ICS-213 forms
For serious HF deployment: 100W HF rig + resonant antenna (OCF dipole, End-Fed Half-Wave, or portable vertical)
- Participate in Weekly Nets
Most counties have a weekly 2m/70cm ARES/RACES net — check in regularly. This is how you get known and get on the deployment roster. - Join Your State RACES Program (if you want government-only activations)
Requires background check/Livescan in many states + additional training (often AUXCOMM course). - Get on Winlink
Almost every modern deployment now uses Winlink RMS gateways for email-over-radio. Install Winlink Express and practice sending ICS-213 forms.
Quick-Start Checklist (Print & Tape Inside Your Go-Box)
- [ ] FCC Amateur License (General+)
- [ ] FEMA IS-100, 200, 700, 800 completed (PDFs saved)
- [ ] Registered with local ARES + ARRL database
- [ ] Dual-band radio + spare battery + mag-mount antenna
- [ ] Can hit at least one local 2m repeater used by ARES
- [ ] Winlink account created and tested
- [ ] Go-kit with 24–72 hr self-support items
When the next hurricane, wildfire, or ice storm knocks out everything else, these are the frequencies and the people who keep the information flowing. Get trained, get on the air, and join the group that’s been doing this since before most of us were born.
73 and stay ready!
