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Tornado

Public Service Hams

Ever since amateur radio was invented, there has always been a place for hams who want to help provide public service, both to their communities and each other. AUXCOMM, or Auxiliary Communications is the catch-all for communicators that are ham operators, GMRS licensees and others who are Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. This page is a work under construction, but I'[m hoping 2025 will see a big push into getting amateur radio operators signed up, trained and participating in AUXCOMM in Arkansas. There are many great groups around Arkansas that are volunteering time and effort for public service, but we have a long way to go. Below is information on what you can do to become prepared to be involved and help! This is a work in progress so check back here and there! If you have questions, get at me!

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AUXCOMM Info

AUXCOMM, or Auxiliary Communications, is a term coined by CISA (Cybersecuriy & Infrastructure Security Agency) in 2009. Amateur radio and GMRS Repeaters are a valuable resource recognized and used in NIMS/ICS for incident planning and execution. We encourage agencies and local groups to include ham radio and even GMRS in their plans for situational awareness, reporting, and auxiliary traffic. 

Where do I start?

Amateur radio operators should prepare themselves and their families and friends with ancillary radio equipment such as their ham or even GMRS radios for communication with non-hams. This should happen FIRST before you do anything else/

Repeaters may not always be available, so at a minimum, your radio equipment could/should include:

An equipped small base station with mobile radios ran by external DC power supply. Antenna placed on mast outside.

  • Portable radios for each family member, including extra batteries.

  • A mobile (vehicle mounted) radio for each vehicle, if possible.

  • A base station radio that could be made from a mobile radio and power supply or 12V deep cycle battery. 

  • A vertical external antenna and coaxial cable- fiberglass, plastic or metal- that can be elevated off the ground;

  • 10’ mast (at minimum). This could be a top chain link fence rail or commercial made mast.

  • Ground mast mounting kit or way to affix the mast vertically. This could be attached to the side of a building or a specialty mounting kit.

  • Emergency power such as a battery bank or portable generator.

Fire Raging

What Can AUXCOMM Do?

AUXCOMM and weather spotting groups can provide valuable information in an important situation, emergency or disaster. Sharing traffic reports helps other members avoid areas, as well as preparation for incoming weather. Situational awareness reports are paramount for many agencies forming ground-truth in needed areas. Information may include (not an all inclusive list):

  • Blocked or impassable roadways due to collisions, flooding or debris.

  • Storm conditions occurring

  • Post storm damage assessments at the neighborhood level.

  • Power outages

  • Wild fire smoke reports

  • Evacuation progress

  • Local emergency information relay

Training Programs/Courses

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Hams and persons interested in Auxcomm can further their knowledge by completing training. This training helps Auxcomm participants understand policy and procedure in a disaster when communicating with each other and served agencies. As you become involved in a situation, it will be imperative that we understand and communicate like the others we will be working with. Otherwise, you'll just be in the way. 

Typically, there are four, free online classes that communicators can take at their own pace. Once completed, you will receive a certificate for safe keeping. The courses below are the bare minimum you'll need, and there are far more available. Check out their catalog and I'll post some links to other comms training you can complete!

 

Before you start! Register at Emergency Management Institute and get a free Student ID:
 

 

 

Complete the following classes at your own pace:

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IS-100.c Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100

IS-200.c Basic Incident Command System for Incident Response, ICS-220

IS-700.b An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

IS-800.d National Response Framework, An Introduction

Each class can take 1-2 hours to complete at your own pace. Keep your certificate, you’ve earned it!

 

 

 

Get Trained. Sign Up.

Once you have made the commitment, sign up with a local club or group and volunteer! Some areas in Arkansas are way ahead of others, and it's our hope that we can move them all forward. Starting here at this sign up link will help you get in touch with the right folks who can gauge your interest and find you a place where you can volunteer, as available. We re ALWAYS looking for groups and clubs to step up and help with community service. Whether its providing communications for off-road bike races, hospital communications in emergencies or weather spotting, hams provide hundreds of hours of volunteer service to their communities in radio communications. 

Join Now!

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