Welcome to the New Hampshire ARRL Section website. We hope you will enjoy the many fine links contained within to enhance your Amateur Radio learning and operation.
The Amateur Radio we know today owes its existence primarily to the lobbying efforts by the ARRL in the early part of the 20th century. After the creation of the Amateur Radio
Service by the Federal Radio Commission (predecessor to the FCC), the US government quickly realized how valuable a resource Amateur Radio is to the public, especially during emergencies.
In the Northeast in 1936, nearly 200 people lost their lives during February floods that inundated most towns where major rivers flowed and without the services of the Amateur Radio operator,
according to League historian Clinton DeSoto, fatalities would have been much greater.
As was the case in 1936 and since then, Amateurs have been engaged in relaying messages and providing communication when conventional means fail during times of emergencies. It is important
to realize this resource is a major reason our government continues to acknowledge and recognize the need for the Amateur Radio Service. As it did in the early part of the 20th century,
the League today continues to advocate for the Amateur Radio Service and our continued use of the RF spectrum.
If you are new to Amateur Radio (or even a seasoned operator), and looking for a new challenge, why not join the over 200 NH Amateurs currently using their radio skills with the Amateur Radio
Emergency Service also known as ARES. ARES operators are “Radio Minutemen” who make their stations available for public service events and during times of emergencies. Typically, ARES groups
meet together once a month and most have weekly on air meetings to discuss various aspects of emergency communications and message handling. These activities help hone their skills for the
time when they may be called to serve during an emergency.
NH has 12 ARES groups, roughly divided up by county. Each group is led by an Emergency Coordinator (EC). Each EC may have an Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) whose focus may be on
specified tasks within the group. An Amateur Radio license and willingness to participate are the usual prerequisites to join. A listing of the ARES group nearest you can be found at the NH ARES
web site . Now is a great time to become actively involved. NH ARES needs you! Click on the NH ARES NEEDS YOU link, fill out the application and the EC in your area will contact you.
If you have questions feel free to contact the Section Emergency Coordinator Al Shuman, K1AKS.
vy 73
Peter Stohrer, W1FEA
NH Section Manager
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