The following lists identify items that will, or might, be useful to an ARES volunteer when they are deployed. It should be clear that some items from each list would be needed in just about any deployment and that others wouldn't be essential. Since each volunteer must determine which items to include in their personal jumpkit and which items included in their jumpkits to bring on any one deployment, these lists should only be used as a guideline or starting point.

A - Radio Equipment

  • 2 m and/or 70 cm hand-helds with batteries / ac adapters / chargers / mike
  • 2 m and/or 70 cm mobile & portable equipment / batteries / adapters / chargers
  • 2 m and/or 70 cm amplifier
  • 2 m and/or 70 cm preamplifier
  • Antennas (see list B)
  • 6 m gear
  • HF mobile rig & AC supply / HD batteries
  • HF mobile & portable antennas (see list B)
  • 220 Mhz rig
  • power amplifiers, microphones
  • earphone / headphones
  • hand-key & battery operated keyer with spare batteries
  • antenna switch, tuner, bridges
  • for mobile van: Packet / RTTY / ASCII gear
  • VHF / UHF Scanner with emergency pwr sup
  • general coverage & MARS frequency receiver
  • marine radio communications gear
  • microphone/earphone headset combination
  • all adapters for mini plugs, RCA plugs, ¼ in. phone-jack combinations, etc.
  • ground bus
  • copper braid
  • watt meter
  • noise bridge / grid dip meter
  • extension cords
  • 3 to 1 power plugs
  • wire nuts

Other / new:





B - Operating Equipment

Antennas:

  • Mobile antennas: 2-meter mag mount, vhf 1/4 wave antennas
  • 5/8 wave portable with radials
  • two 50 ft sections of coax with PL-259s
  • coax patch plugs for amplifiers, tuners, pre-amps, etc. (5)
  • BNC to PL-259 adapters (4)
  • PL-259 to BNC adapters (4)
  • portable HF antenna (vertical)
  • portable HF long wire / dipoles
  • HF antenna tuner & SWR bridge
  • HF mobile mount & antennas
  • rubber duck antenna (VHF, UHF)
  • 5/8 wave telescopic hand-held antenna
  • collapsible VHF quad with mast
  • spare PL-259 connects & double SO-239 barrel connects
  • male-to-female coax adapter
  • masts
  • radials
  • other antennas
  • insulators, guy wire, nylon cord, fishline & weight, stakes, ground clamps / rods, counter-poises, bumper-mount clamp, resonators, mast, gutter clips, braid, ground wire.

Power:

  • AC generator & fuel
  • extension cords
  • 2-prong plug adapters to 3 prong (AC receptacle)
  • 1 to 3 plug adapters (AC receptacle)
  • solar powered battery charger
  • hand-held battery charger (mobile)
  • hand-held battery charger (AC)
  • 12 V power supply(s) for HF/ VHF / UHF rig(s)
  • extra battery packs, Gel Cell(s), Ni-cad cell(s)
  • cigarette lighter adapter
  • spare fuses for rig(s) for AC line & DC cables
  • mobile power cords / adapters / wire nuts, tape
  • variable voltage AC to DC power supplies & plugs

Tools:

  • VOM or Multi-meter, leads & spare battery(s)
  • Soldering iron (portable - ie. battery / butane powered), resin-core (electronic) solder, desoldering wick and/or solder sucker
  • Selection of Slot, Philips, Roberson & Torx screwdrivers
  • Selection of pliers - long nose, adjustable, mini-vise grip, wire cutters, crimping tools
  • hookup wire, wire-nuts, tape, crimp connectors
  • Splice kits, 1/4 in. phone jack plugs, mini phone plugs, RCA plugs & adapters
  • Alligator clip jumpers

Other / new:





C - Personal Gear

  • Net directory
  • RAC Operating Manual, Emergency & Disaster Radio Operators Procedures Guide
  • ARES Badge / ID, Red Cross ID
  • ARES / Club Roster, Callbook
  • Repeater directory
  • Tactical / Emergency Frequency List
  • ARES / Club phone directory, especially #'s for DEC, ECs & AECs as well as #'s for key personnel & liasons at client agencies, change for payphones and/or phone cards
  • Driver's & Amateur Radio Licenses
  • Money, Checkbook, Credit cards, Keys
  • Maps, compass, portable GPS receiver, binoculars
  • Logbook, notebook, paper, pens, pencils, clipboard
  • Thumb tacks, tape
  • Blank message forms & other operating aids
  • Phonetic Alphabet Chart
  • cardboard (for signs) & felt tip pens
  • folding table & chairs
  • battery powered clock / watch
  • battery powered broadcast radio receiver
  • AC / DC television
  • jumper cables, spare auto fuses, empty gas can, siphon
  • chains for tires, antifreeze, check: spare tire(s), gas, oil level & filter, radiator level
  • cones, flares, flash light & spare batteries
  • tow chain / winch
  • hard hat, orange or red jacket
  • drinking water, min. 4 litres (hint: keep from freezing)
  • thermos, cup, bowl, utensils, bottle & can openers
  • razor, toothbrush & paste, floss, soap, wash cloth, towel(s)
  • sleeping bag & pad, blanket(s)
  • tent, backpack, hatchet, ax, small bow saw, candles, matches, stove & fuel
  • weather appropriate clothing, extra socks, boots, gloves, hat
  • Rain gear with hood & boots
  • first aid kit, insect repellent
  • canned / dehydrated food, instant coffee / tea, other comestibles / edibles
  • toilet paper, small shovel / sturdy trowel, plastic bag(s)
  • Personal comfort items

Other / new:





Note: This document was heavily derived from an article written by Donald Simon, NI6A, published in QST Vol. LXVI No.7 - July 1982 on pages 79 - 80.