Kip Burnett, KB2EGI

Emergency Communications Reference Page (Emcomm)

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The Mercer County ARES/RACES Emergency Net meets every Fourth Tuesday on the DVRA 146.67 MHz (-.600, PL 131.8). The net starts at 7:30 pm local time. The purpose of the net is to discuss ARES and RACES activities in and around Mercer County and to test EOC equipment. Everyone is invited to check in. The net may also be called in an emergency and for SKYWARN activity.

The State RACES Net meets on the Last Monday of the month. Members are encouraged to visit the State EOC, County EOC and Red Cross to gain experience with the equipment there and become familiar with net operation. The Red Cross Net starts at 7:15 pm local time and the RACES Net starts at 7:30 pm. There are no RACES or Red Cross Nets in May or December due to the holidays. These nets are for specified stations only.

Important information for people involved with emergency communications in Mercer County, New Jersey:

• Mercer County ARES Sign up Form - Sign up online.
• Mercer County ARES Reference Card (pdf) (1/22/2008)
• The David Sarnoff Radio Club site has other important information for ARES and RACES in Mercer County, NJ.
• Mercer County ARES Emergency Plan (pdf) (4/8/2003)
• ARES Emergency Plan (pdf) for Southern New Jersey (pdf) (3/6/2003)
• SKYWARN Information Page - The Official Site of the Philadelphia / Mount Holly, NJ NWS Forecast Office SKYWARN Home Page 

• Southern New Jersey ARES
• Traffic Handling in SNJ - K2UL, Dan Ostroy
• Bucks County, PA ARES
• Cape May County, NJ RACES

• ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (C-CE) - offers three courses in Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC). I recommend that everyone who has an interest in emergency communications complete Level 1 at a minimum. Certification is just the beginning to be followed by active participation in drills and emergencies.
• American Red Cross - humanitarian organization, helping millions of people each year prevent, prepare for, and cope with emergencies.
• New Jersey Homeland Security - Bulletins, news, specific information, guidelines and how to prepare for an emergency.

• A Sample Emergency Supply Kit For A Family Of Four (pdf) (4/4/2003) provided by K2GW
• The Three "P"s of Public Service by Gary Wilson, K2GW
• The Four "S"s of Public Service by Gary Wilson, K2GW

In an emergency for Mercer County, New Jersey, make sure your family and home are safe, then check-in on the DVRA Trenton repeater 146.67 MHz (-.600, PL 131.8) for instructions. The alternate frequency is the DSRC repeater 146.46 MHz (+1.000, PL 131.8).

Prepare by registering with the Emergency Coordinator, KB2EGI, and checking into the Mercer County Emergency Net on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM on 146.67.

• Maintain your skills by participating in nets and Public Service events.
• Visit the Mercer County EOC and the Red Cross Chapter on the last Monday at 7:15 PM for an orientation on the equipment there.
• Consider using 30 Amp Anderson Powerpole connectors on your 12VDC equipment to facilitate interoperability.

Key Mercer County Frequencies:

1. ARES/RACES/SkyWarn Primary 146.67 MHz (-.600, PL 131.8)
2. ARES Red Cross: 146.46 MHz (+1.000, PL 131.8).

W2MER is the club callsign for the Mercer County Emergency Radio Club. All licensed amateurs in the Mercer County, NJ who are interested in Emergency & Public Service are welcome to join. There are no dues!

All ARES & RACES members in Mercer County are automatically members! Meetings are held in the Mercer County Office of Emergency Management Radio Room at the Dempster Fire Service Training Center, 350 Lawrence Station Road, Lawrence, NJ on the last Monday of each month (except May and December)at 7:30 PM. All are welcome.

A fully equipped club station is available at the OEM, with capabilities on HF, 2 Meters, packet, 220 and 440. A 150 foot tower supports our antennas.

For more information, check into the Mercer County Emergency Net, held on the fourth Tuesday of the Month on the DVRA Repeater (146.67 MHz -.600 PL 131.6). Or you can contact the Mercer County EC, Kip Burnett, KB2EGI or the station trustee, Gary Wilson, K2GW. Your help is needed in fulfilling our responsibilites as Amateur Radio operators to perform public service.

In an emergency, monitor 146.67 MHz for instructions. 73 Gary, K2GW

Last modified May, 2006