Nevada County ARES – Neighborhood Radio Watch Advisory Program

“At first I was a little hesitant. I could see the value but wasn’t sure it would work for our community. However, after our recent snow storm, I am convinced.  If we had already set up our program, it would have resulted in getting help to people much earlier. The ARES Radio Advisory service assisted us in all aspects of the program.  We are now expanding the program to all residents and it is being accepted with enthusiasm. This is another tool in keeping our Firewise community safer and I would certainly recommend it for all Firewise communities.”

Vicki Deam, Chair, Greenhorn Firewise Community

Why is Neighborhood Backup Radio Communications important

• During a fire, extreme weather, or other local emergency
  • Cell phones/texting/phone lines/internet may/will go down;
  • You will need a way to stay updated on current status/evacuations/etc.
• Tubbs Fire:  57% of cell phone towers failed.
• Camp Fire: 56% of emergency alert calls failed.
• Radio backup could save your life.

Who is ARES?

• Amateur Radio Emergency Services – (volunteer organization)
• Members are licensed Amateur Radio Operators
• Experts in radio communications
• Provides emergency communications for Nevada County and Red Cross

Nevada County ARES Neighborhood Radio Watch Advisory Service

• FREE Service to the community
• Goal:  Help neighborhoods setup emergency backup radio communications
• We provide presentations and customized hands-on sessions
• Work with groups of 5 to 20 homes
  • Interested neighborhoods
• We will help you with:
  • How to use radios for neighborhood communication
  • What equipment to buy
  • Where to buy it
  • How to get licensed
  • Equipment setup 
  • How to use the radios – “hands on”
• ARES receives no compensation for this Advisory Program

Downloadable Tri-fold Brochures in PDF Format

• Neighborhood Radio Watch – Easy as 1-2-3
• How to get a GMRS license for your Family
• Using your new Two-Way Radio
• Neighborhood Radio Watch “Safety Nets”

If you have questions or want to engage with us: Contact Us

• marktriolo@gmail.com
• More information on GMRS:  Google it!

Examples

These articles and short videos from around California provide examples of what we are offering: 

• Berkeley: Berkeley Neighbors seek to widen Grassroots Emergency Radio System.
• Butte County: Grassroots Radio solves rural NorCal Community’s Disaster Communication Quandary.
• El Dorado County: When all other communication systems fail, El Dorado County’s amateur radio groups step in.

Programming Files

Radio Programming Files. This .zip file contains files for the Wouxun KG-805G and KG-935G.

Name	Rx Frequency	Tx Frequency	Rx Tone	Tx Tone	Transceiver
CH1	462.5625	462.5625			805/935
CH2	462.5875	462.5875			805/935
CH3	462.6125	462.6125			805/935
CH4	462.6375	462.6375			805/935
CH5	462.6625	462.6625			805/935
CH6	462.6875	462.6875			805/935
CH7	462.7125	462.7125			805/935
CH8	467.5625	467.5625			805/935
CH9	467.5875	467.5875			805/935
CH10	467.6125	467.6125			805/935
CH11	467.6375	467.6375			805/935
CH12	467.6625	467.6625			805/935
CH13	467.6875	467.6875			805/935
CH14	467.7125	467.7125			805/935
CH15	462.5500	462.5500			805/935
CH16	462.5750	462.5750			805/935
CH17	462.6000	462.6000			805/935
CH18	462.6250	462.6250			805/935
CH19	462.6500	462.6500			805/935
CH20	462.6750	462.6750			805/935
CH21	462.7000	462.7000			805/935
CH22	462.7250	462.7250			805/935
Banner R	462.7000	467.7000	D466	D351	805/935
Sierra R	462.7000	467.7000	D466	D223	805/935
Oregon Peak R	462.7000	467.7000	D466	D506	805/935
Pilot Peak R	462.7000	467.7000	D466	D423	805/935
Lighting Tree Assoc R	462.7250	467.7250	D311	D311	805/935
Sheriff_W	155.5650				935
Sheriff_E	155.7600				935
NCFD_W	153.9650				935
CALFIRE	151.3250				935
NCARC	147.2850				935