Shelby County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (A.R.E.S.^®) is an organization comprised of approximately 25 licensed amateur radio operators. The members of this organization volunteer their time and equipment for use during emergency and non-emergency communications situations.

Shelby Co. ARES supports the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency, the Shelby County Sheriff, the Health Department, Sidney Police, and Sidney Alive, as well as other agencies and groups in Shelby county. We help with community events such as the July 4th Fireworks, the Winter Wonderland Parade, and a 5K run or two. We train with the Shelby County Ohio first responders during the LEPC exercises, and we work several of the ARRL training exercises, such as Field Day and the Simulated Emergency Test, (SET). Most members are weather spotters, trained by the National Weather Service from Wilmington, Ohio. The spotters report specific weather information to our local Skywarn net, and that information get funneled directly to the NWS office, where they issue watches, warnings, or advisories based on the spotters information. SCARES members operate and maintain our 2 amateur radio repeaters, 146.835- PL 156.7 and 443.200+ also PL 156.7. We also operate and maintain the Shelby County ARES Emergency Communication vehicles, SCARES I, our tow vehicle, and SCARES II, our emergency communications trailer.

Our organization / Club, is a 501 c 3, Non-Profit organization recognized by the Federal Government. We rely on fundraisers, and donations, to support our needs for radio equipment, and maintenance, of both of our amateur repeaters, and our mobile communications vehicles SCARES I and II. SCARES volunteer members donate their time and knowledge and therefore our organization / Club does not ask for dues. 🙂
Grant Reed, N8KZL, Shelby Co. ARES Emergency Coordinator