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Chameleon Knowledge Base · The Complete Online HF Antenna Handbook

What Is ARES®?

Learn what the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) is and how amateur radio volunteers support emergency communications.

Getting Started HF Fundamentals Reviewed 2026-07-14
Short Answer: Learn what the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) is and how amateur radio volunteers support emergency communications.

Explanation

Overview ARES® (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) is a volunteer emergency communications program organized by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). It consists of licensed amateur radio operators who provide communication support during emergencies and public service events. Typical Activities Disaster communications. Emergency operations centers. Hospital communications. Shelter communications. Public service events. Training exercises. Training ARES volunteers are encouraged to participate in emergency communications training, simulated emergency tests, and incident management education. Equipment Portable radios. HF and VHF/UHF antennas. Battery power. Portable shelters. Digital communication equipment. Applied to Chameleon Products Many ARES operators deploy Chameleon portable antenna systems because they are lightweight, rapidly deployable, and capable of multiband operation during emergency response activities. Related Articles What Is EMCOMM? What Is RACES? What Is Winlink? What Is Portable Operation? Related Products CHA EMCOMM III Portable CHA MPAS 2.0 CHA LEFS Series

The exact result depends on the complete station: frequency, geometry, feed line, matching network, return-current path, environment, operating power, and the reference plane of any measurement. A low SWR establishes an impedance relationship at that point; it does not by itself prove efficiency, radiation pattern, compatibility, or safety.

What to Verify

  • Use the newest official product guide or primary service documentation.
  • Confirm the exact model, revision, components, configuration, and operating conditions.
  • Begin tests at low power and change one variable at a time.
  • Do not infer compatibility from connector or thread fit.

Learn Next

  • Antenna Selection: A Mission-First Decision Guide
  • Engineering Design Tradeoffs in Portable HF Antennas
  • Antenna Measurement Reference Planes
  • Understanding Common-Mode Current

Source note: Independently synthesized with reference to The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications, 99th edition (2022), and The ARRL Antenna Book for Radio Communications, 24th edition (2019). Verify changing regulations, services, software, specifications, availability, and safety requirements against current primary sources.