Members of Polk County ARES are encouraged to participate in these events as a way to train for and be prepared for emergency situations. The purpose of Polk County ARES is to provide emergency radio communications for Polk County and surrounding communities when officially activated via authorized agency. ARES members volunteer their time and expertise […]

Regulatory: FCC Readjusts Dates, Deadlines As Shutdown Ends The FCC has extended or adjusted filing dates and deadlines in the wake of the partial government shutdown, during which Commission systems went dark. For radio amateurs, the biggest impact is for those with vanity call sign applications in the hopper. The Commission said in a October […]

The 2013 Des Moines Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 20, 2012. This is the largest ARES event of the year.  There will be approximately 40 positions that need to be filled. Please contact Rick Allen, NØCFL if you’d like to assist. Rick Allen, [email protected] (515) 451-4148  

Although it is no longer a FCC requirement to state if you are operating “mobile” or “portable” when identifying, these terms are still often used. Frequently they are incorrectly used after a call sign. To help alleviate some of the confusion (and misuse) we offer this: The terms mobile and portable have nothing to do […]

Ankeny’s new Centennial High School is sporting a new amateur radio club.  According to Mike Miller ACØBD, the club is in the forming stage.  They have worked on a constitution and will be adding a station as soon as the roof antennas are installed.  The club’s call sign is ACØHS.  As soon as there is […]

Classes begin on Sept. 19th (Thursday). There will be 8 Thursday night classes with the 9th session for testing. Des Moines Community Education charges $25.00 per student plus $25.00 for ARRL manual. Contact Ron Hobbs NØXWI or [email protected] for more details.  Classes will be held at Merrill Middle School, 5301 Grand Ave  Des Moines.

Hello Spotters and Emergency Managers,   The Summer 2013 Spotter Briefing has been created and is available for viewing.  The following topics are included. 2013 Iowa Tornadoes Nationwide Tornado Numbers Down Wall Clouds vs Shelf Clouds (video) Spotter Quiz More Spotters Needed Flooding and Heavy Rain Reports (video) Spotter Do’s and Don’ts Reporting Methods Updating Spotter Information Sources of […]

Members of Polk County ARES are encouraged to participate in these events as a way to train for and be prepared for emergency situations. The purpose of Polk County ARES is to provide emergency radio communications for Polk County and surrounding communities when officially activated via authorized agency. ARES members volunteer their time and expertise […]

Members of Polk County ARES are encouraged to participate in these events as a way to train for and be prepared for emergency situations. The purpose of Polk County ARES is to provide emergency radio communications for Polk County and surrounding communities when officially activated via authorized agency. ARES members volunteer their time and expertise […]

IOWA GOV. TERRY BRANSTAD DECLARES JUNE 16-22 AS AMATEUR RADIO WEEK IN IOWA  DES MOINES, Iowa – Today, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad declared June 16-22 as Amateur Radio Week in Iowa to celebrate the efforts of radio amateurs across the state and around the nation. (Proclamation text included at end of release.) Radio amateurs are […]