We're glad you stopped by for a visit. The Highlands County ARES organization was created to assist with communications needs in time of emergency. This group includes many trained and motivated Amateur Radio operators who have dedicated their time and equipment to this valuble service.
Working closely with the Highlands County Emergency Operations Center, this group has provided vital communications during several hurricanes, fires and other natural and man-made disasters. Our members provide these services voluntarily and at their own cost. Members have spent countless hours in hurricane shelters and the EOC, training, and practice exercises refining their communications skills.
Interested in digital communications? It's the wave of the future! APRS, Packet, HF Digital, WinLink2000 and more. In the coming weeks pages will be added here describing these modes, and we encourage you to try them. All you need is a computer and a soundcard to try any of these modern communications modes. More Info? Click HERE. As many ARES members say, "Think DIGITAL!"
The Digital page has been updated and new links added. Check it out!!! Includes a link to "WL2K for Dummies", a complete course in the set up of this valuble tool for emergency communications.
New ARES Group Formed
We now have a 4 county ARES group, the Inland Counties of the West Central Florida Section. This group consists of DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties. We are constantly striving to improve interoperability and communications between us, so we can assist each other in case the worst happens. There is a lot to be done, and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Please contact your County EC to join ARES and help this very important effort.
Interested in joining ARES? Contact Randy Payne K4EZM at 863-471-3788 or email. Download application in PDF form HERE. Need a PDF reader? Try FOXIT freeware.
Comments? Suggestions?
HELP WANTED!!!
We need shelter operators!!
If you can help, look below to contact
Randy Payne K4EZM
Welcome to the Highlands County ARES Web Page! I have changed to a free hosting service, and will gradually get the site revamped and rebuilt over the next few weeks.
If you have any ideas for features on the page, or links I should add, PLEASE tell me! This is YOUR page, and I need YOUR help to make it better. Contact me and I'll be happy to review and post your ideas or links.
HERE is a list of frequencies used by the Inland Counties ARES group. Note that all repeaters use tone squelch. You must transmit the required tone to access the repeater. On most rigs this is set by setting Tone to on and selecting the required tone frequency in a menu.
