One of the reasons that amateur radio exists at all is to provide emergency communications. Part §97.1, the very first section of the rules and regulations that govern amateur radio states that one of the basics of amateur radio is, “Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.”

With this in mind, all amateur radio operators should be familiar with disaster communications plans as they affect the operator’s geographic location.  As a club, KARS has an obligation to serve our community as a communications tool during times of disaster.  These disasters can be anything: weather related, HAZMAT situations, technological breakdowns, civil insurrections or hostile attacks on the country.  Whenever communications failures, natural or manmade occur, amateur radio steps in to fill the gap. 

For most operators, just having a contact and acquiring information to assist you in making good decisions for you and your family is invaluable.  

By adding skills such as Winlink, amateur operators can assist in making health and welfare announcements for our neighbors, to providing critical communications for government and non-profit agencies providing assistance to our community during these times.  

These are the frequencies applicable to KARS members to use during disasters:

Primary Repeater          KT5TX               147.200            pl 141.3                        +0.6 MHz

Backup Repeater          WD8RZA *        442.350            pl 131.8                        +5 MHz   

Backup Repeater          KB5IIX.              442.500.           pl 123.0.                       +5 Mhz. (Allstar Capable)

*This repeater is currently shared with Ft. Bend Co. EMROG 

Primary Simplex            Simplex            146.600            none                none

These are the frequencies utilized by ARES during disasters:

Ft. Bend Co.                  KD5HAL            145.490            pl 123.0                        -0.6 MHz

Ft. Bend Co. B/U           KD5HAL            444.525            pl 123.0                        +5 MHz

Harris County                WD5X *             147.000            pl 103.5                        +0.6 MHz   

            *Monitor this repeater at the top of the hour for information

Harris Co. S/W              W5BSA *                      145.190            pl 123.0                        -0.6 MHz  

            *Monitor this repeater on the half hour for information