The Iowa Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) recently completed a comprehensive statewide emergency net activation exercise, simulating severe summer convective storms and widespread utility blackout conditions.
Volunteer emergency coordinators and local radio amateurs across Polk, Linn, Scott, and Story counties deployed battery-powered VHF 2-meter repeaters and 75-meter HF voice nets on 3.870 MHz. Operators transmitted formal National Traffic System (NTS) health-and-welfare messages and emergency ICS-213 forms directly to county Emergency Management Agency (EMA) officials.
Section Emergency Coordinator Clint (KØGR) commended participating operators for rapid tactical deployment and seamless inter-county message relays, demonstrating how amateur radio maintains resilient, off-grid communications during natural disasters in the Hawkeye State.
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