ARES Watch Net

ARES Watch Nets Scope, Purpose, and Operating Protocols

(August 2024, AH6T)

 The purpose of the ARES Watch Nets are to provide situational awareness for participants and to provide a venue for exchange of information regarding emergency conditions and impacts.

 ARES Watch Nets will be stood up by ARRL’s Section Manager or Section Emergency Coordinator, in response to pending or current emergencies such as, but not restricted to, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. 

 Initial notice that a Watch Net is being stood up will be sent via HawaiiARES@groups.io as well as posted on the HawaiiARES.net and 40meter.net websites. 

 ARES Watch Nets will operate on 7090 LSB (or 3890, or 1857 if NVIS not open on 40 meters). The Watch Net NCS will determine if it is necessary to move to alternate frequencies. 

 ARES Watch Nets are state-wide nets.

 ARES Watch Nets are open to all amateurs licensed to operate LSB on 7090.

 ARES Watch Nets will be directed nets and all traffic must pass through the NCS.

 Skywarn Ham Nets will operate as a sub-part of the ARES Watch Net and the ARES NCS may receive and forward messages to the National Weather service, or may direct the sending station to contact a Skywarn Ham NCS if one is operating. 

 No other Agency traffic will be routinely handled on the ARES Watch Net except for emergency traffic involving the loss of life or property, and only in the case the sending station is unable to contact 911, or their County Emergency Operating Center on 7095 for Kauai, Oahu, and Maui Counties, and 7190 for Hawaii County’s ACS.

 The ARES Watch Net NCS will monitor 7090 (or 3890, or 1857, depending on NVIS propagation) for the duration of the net.  The NCS will announce the net and seek traffic at the top of each hour and on the half hour but will be monitoring the then active    frequency throughout the duration of the net.

 In the case that NVIS conditions do not support state-wide communications on 40 meters, the NCS will move the net to 3890, or 1857.  Stations participating in the net should monitor the alternative frequencies, 3890 or 1857, at the top of the hour or on the half hour to determine where the Watch Net is currently operating. 

 This is an initial write-up for Watch Nets.  Please send comments or suggestions to AH6T@arrl.net. 

Aloha,

Joe   AAH6T

ARRL Pacific Section Emergency Coordinator