Brown County ARES®/RACES
Join Us
Membership in Brown County ARES/RACES [BCARES] is open to all persons living and/or working in Brown County holding a valid FCC-issued Amateur Radio License. There are no annual dues or fees. The only requirement for membership is an Amateur Radio license and an interest in serving your community.
If you hold a valid Amateur Radio License:
Complete the ARES Registration Form.
Contact Dave Catalano (N8KQS)
Attend our monthly meetings every 3rd Wednesday at the State Agriculture Extention Building, 1150 Bellevue in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Join us Sunday evenings at 8:00 PM for our regularly scheduled net on 147.120 MHz, +offset, 107.2Hz PL.
Review the material listed in the Resources section of this site.
As time allows take some training classes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Brown County ARES/RACES [BCARES]?
BCARES is a special interest group within Amateur Radio that provides radio communications for the good of the community. - What does BCARES do?
BCARES makes available radio communications for various community events as well as emergency situations. - Why should I join BCARES?
Each Amateur has their own motivation for joining BCARES. Whether it's a sense of community spirit, an application for your equipment and talent or just a day out of the house, your participation will bring you a sense of satisfaction and comradery with your fellow Amateurs. - Why participate in non-emergencies?
These are quite important. Since true emergencies rarely happen we use participation in these events to constantly hone our skills. As well as providing community support, this also helps advertise Amateur Radio to the general population. It also demonstrates to agencies, that we normally serve, that we are active. - Should I be concerned about the stress of emergency events?
While the word "emergency" can be very intimidating, the fact is our role will always be to provide communications only and, as such, we are usually away from the action, hence stress is minimal. You are free to decline any assignment that you do not feel comfortable with. - Should I join up if I can't participate in all the nets or events?
By all means. Our goal is to have sufficient numbers of members, such that no one has to participate in all events, unless they want to. Taking part in those activities that you can will make you better prepared to serve when the need arises. - Do I need some special knowledge to be a member?
You already demonstrated the basic knowledge when you passed your Amateur exam. We simply reinforce some of these things and establish operating procedures (e.g., frequencies to use, how to operate within a net, use of ICS, etc.). - Am I obligated to attend all events once I am registered?
While a call is intended to facilitate a "first response" to happenings, consideration is given to the fact that you have a life outside Amateur Radio (hopefully) and may not be available all the time. We will work around that. During an emergency your first responsibility is your family. - How will I remember everything I need to know?
The BCARES has a well written Standard Operating Procedures that details everything required. This, along with practice events, training, and weekly nets, usually does the job. - As a new Amateur, should I get more experience before joining?
Not at all. When you passed your exam, you already demonstrated that you have the basic ability required to contribute to the cause. - Can I participate if I'm not registered?
Certainly. While those who take part in nets and who attend meetings and events regularly may be the most prepared, everyone can play a part by virtue of the fact that they are a Radio Amateur and know how to communicate. Signing up beforehand is preferable since it permits the coordinators to better plan operations. Those who are not registered can not be used in a RACES activation until they have been registered and sworn in as Disaster Service Workers. Doing this and getting some basic training prior to an actual need will make your service of more value.