Being Prepared -- amateur style!

Emergency responders call this a "Go kit".

Being self-sufficient means our ARES members carry their own equipment. The items you see here all fit into an 18 x 9 x 12 bag (really!) and provide the hardware behind the hand-held.

Field Day fun

The fourth weekend in June is devoted to getting on the air for Field Day. This annual event, sponsored by the Amateur Radio Relay League, allows members and visitors to make voice contact with amateur radio operators throughout the United States and the Americas. The event is international, so the opportunity exists to make contacts worldwide.

Can you hear me now?

Most of the time, a simple 6 " rubber ducky (whip) antenna on a hand held "handy-talkie" will suffice to get the word out. Other times and other frequencies, it takes a bit of engineering to come up with a taller, more powerful antenna.

No Power? No Problem!

Lake Oswego ARES members are a self-sufficient bunch. They buy and maintain their own gear. They even provide power when the power goes out!

Working the Bridge Pedal

There is always the opportunity to volunteer in the community at large. LO ARES founder is shown working emergency communications for the Portland Bridge Pedal. Other members volunteer to work the Hood to Coast run, the Summit to Surf ride and the Lake Oswego Lake Run.

ARES and CERT go hand in hand

Emergency communicators and Emergency responders work together. Lake Oswego Amateur Radio Emergency Service acts as the voice for local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Some of our members came over from CERT; many others have taken CERT training to enhance their emergency communications skills.

Operation Top Off

LO ARES members volunteered their time during the fall 2007 Portland area emergency drill, Operation Top Off, monitoring city and county emergency communications during the exercise.

Getting the word out

LO ARES members are passionate about what they do, and they like to spread the word. We welcome visitors to our monthly meetings (3rd Wednesday, LO downtown fire station, 7 p.m.) and invite area hams to listen in to our Sunday evening roundtable, 7:25 on 146.500.

Who We Are

We are WA7LO.

We are a group of Lake Oswego area amateur radio operators who volunteer as emergency communicators under guidance of the Lake Oswego Emergency Manager (Fire Department). Some of us are new to amateur radio, having earned a code free Technician's license. Others are long time hams, with General or Extra Class licenses. Our meetings are held at the downtown Lake Oswego Fire Station, 3rd Wednesday of each month, at 7 p.m. We meet on-air at 7:25 p.m. Sundays on 146.500.