Debut of New Equipment that Enhances Emergency Communication in Williamson County

Debut of New Equipment that Enhances Emergency Communication in Williamson County

On June 23, 2018, at the Touch-the-Truck Event in Georgetown at Wolf Ranch Shopping Center,  Williamson County Amateur Radio Services(WC-ARES) will demonstrate the capabilities of its newly acquired communications trailer. Hours for the event will be from 9:00 AM until Noon. This trailer improves the organization’s response to the agencies it supports with emergency communications.  The trailer, equipped with a generator and antenna mast, is stocked with communication resources that enables the organization to remotely deploy radio operators.

This deployment will allow the operators to communicate on VHF and UHF Amateur Radio frequencies using voice and data methods to get critical messages through for supported agencies in the event of a disaster. These frequencies allow for interoperability with the agencies being served.

The acquisition was made possible by generous donations from public and service minded individuals. These donors recognize the need for Amateur Radio in providing communication during times of natural and man-made disasters; a time when normal communication have been interrupted.  Donations can be made to help equip the trailer with increased communication capabilities and can be made at dev.wc-ares.org/donations/ or you may send an email to wc.ares.pio@gmail.com.  Williamson County ARES, Inc. is a 501(c)3 for charitable donation purposes.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) consists of Amateur Radio licensees who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.  ARES is an official organization of the Amateur Radio Relay League, ARRL, and serves disaster related agencies.