Packing list for ARES Go Bag

de: KG4CQK

Introduction

It has been my experience that it is neither practical nor desirable to try to fit everything you need for a ham mobilization into one bag. Obviously, just as the nature of the emergency will vary, so will the needs of your job. With that in mind, you will find several lists below, grouped by category. If you can keep these items together, all you'll need to do is throw one or more kits in your car, and you'll be ready but not overstocked.

Wear or carry

 ARES ID

 Ham License

 Wallet, cash, change, credit card

 Kleenex, emergency toilet paper

 Ear plugs

 Leatherman

 Mag light

 Pocket Notepad

 Cell Phone (if you have one)

 Pager (if you have one)

 Water-resistant wrist-watch with alarm

 Reading glasses (if needed)

 Ball point pen

 Ham Radio Ball Cap

 "Ham Radio" Vest or shirt (if you have one)

 Rain Gear

Primary Go-box contents

Rx: A folding milk crate with wheels should hold these. [West Marine $20]

__ 2m or Dual-Band Radio Set

 Mobile radio or H/T with CTCSS capability

All local repeaters pre-programmed and tested

 Instruction manual

 Hand-held microphone

 Headphones (ear-muff preferred)

 Power cable with adapters for cigarette lighter

Power supply (at least one of following)

 AC adapter

 12 V SLA Battery with fuse and adapters

- fully charged

 Fresh AA Battery pack with spares

__ Duct Tape

__ Optional

 VOM and small tool kit

 SWR Analyzer

__ Paper work

 ARES Fieldbook

 Blank ARES Msg. forms (see ARES web site)

 List of local repeaters (see ARES web site)

 Ham phone list or club directory

 Official Vehicle placard (if you have one)

 JFR Chief Alford's letter

 Clipboard with writing tablet and pens

 Written instructions for exercise (from Email)

 Copy of packing list

 Tracker system paperwork

 Maps

__ Misc cable box (Rubbermaid bread container works

well for this)

 2 ea FRS Radios with fresh batteries

 50' BNC coax cable

 50' PL-259 coax cable

RF Adapters, including

 BNC Barrel

 SO-236 Barrel

 BNC Male to SO-236 (for H/T)

 SMA Male to SO-236 (for H/T)

DC cables and adapters

 Power Pole

 RS Hi-current Molex

 Cigarette Lighter

 DC to DC converter [Radio Shk 270-1562]

 12 V Battery Tester [Radio Shack 22-112]

__ Snacks and personal items (any of the following)

 Water bottle

 Crackers or Cookies

 Candy bars

 Pastry or Pop Tarts

 Insect repellant

 Sun-tan lotion

 Medications

 Personal reading material

Outdoor Antennas:

Bring this if you might be outside of normal repeater coverage, or you expect a wind storm. A Sunday Golf bag is a good

way to carry these [WalMart about $10]

__ 2m antenna (One of the following)

 Ground plane [Jul 1991 QST - p 33]

 J-pole [Mar 2005 QST - p 31]

__ Flagpole booster [May 2000 QST - p 37]

__ Mast (One of the following)

 Push-up pole

 Top rail for chain-link fence

[Lowes's: $6.00 each]

 Military surplus mast

 TV Antenna mast [Radio Shack]

__ Support for mast (One of the following)

 Heavy Duty Speaker Stand

 Drive-over pad

 Guy lines with and tent pegs

 Lash mast to ladder on back of van

 100 ft rope to throw over tree limb

__ Downlead

 50 ft RG-58 coax with PL-259 connectors

[Radio Shack]

 SO-236 Barrel connector

Overnight kit

Bring this if you might need to spend the night

Sleeping bag

 Air mattress

 Cot

 Pillow

 Toilet Article Kit

 Change of clothes

 Additional MRE's or meals

Automotive outifit

I keep the following items in my car at all times

1) Kenwood D-7 H/T w/ instructions, extra battery,

computer cables, head-set, external antenna, etc.

2) Garmin E-trex GPS w/ cables

3) Compaq Laptop w/ Street Atlas

4) 12 DC power supply for Comapq

5) Drinking Water

6) Flashlight

7) Light-weight jacket

8) Personal Meds (IB, Tylenol, Rolaids, etc.)

9) Pillow

10) First Aid Kit

11) Universal precautions & Rescue Breathing set

12) Pencils

13) Folding Chair

14) Rain suit

15) Tool kit