Prepped and ready, the drill begins.
On the morning of January 13th, 2024, at 10am, Barton County faced a life-threatening ice storm. Surprisingly, there were no casualties or property damage as the event was, in fact, an emergency drill. The purpose of this exercise was to assess the preparedness of the local ARES members and stations.
Under the guidance of Tim, N5STR, the Barton County ARES District Emergency Coordinator, the Kilowatt ARES chapter, along with volunteers Jim KE0FRS, Richard KB9EHM, and Chris N0YH, actively participated in the drill. Their roles involved relaying radio traffic, conveying critical on-site observations, and providing essential information to emergency rescue workers.
Despite the bitter cold with temperatures at 10 degrees, the Kilowatt team successfully set up both HF and VHF antennas in a realistic scenario. The drill presented challenges that added a touch of chaos, enriching the training exercise. Jim, KE0FRS, managed most of the on-air communications, while Tim, N5STR, handled phone, internet, and other communication forms.
Antennas are assembled.
The overall outcome for the Barton ARES team was positive, marking the drill as a success. Post-exercise discussions pinpointed areas for improvement, and corrective measures were promptly taken. The existence of a functional system ready to tackle emergencies, whether they occur or not, is reassuring. This achievement owes much to the dedication of Ham Radio enthusiasts who generously contribute their time and resources to potentially life-saving endeavors. Kudos to Barton County for a job well done!
Richard, KB9EHM, Tim, N5STR, and Jim, KE0FRS, assemble the VHF antenna for local comms.
Antenna guy ropes are strategically placed to support vertical antennas.
ARES awaits further instructions.
Richard, KB9EHM, enjoys a short break after helping install the antennas.
Tim and Jim await the first call for an emergency alert.
Communications in an emergency is essential and Tim utilizes the internet on his phone.
Jim is busy copying notes and relaying traffic as it comes in.
Author: Chris - N0YH
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