It was ARES® Day on July 30 in Palm Beach County, Florida. Sponsored by Palm Beach County ARES, the event at the Palm Beach/Martin County Red Cross Chapter in West Palm Beach, attracted 50 radio amateurs, and 15 joined ARES. The Red Cross provided lunch.

“Thanks to the Red Cross and all who attended,” said Central County Emergency Coordinator Barry Porter, KB1PA. “Palm Beach County ARES® is now more prepared if we are needed by any of our served agencies. It was a positive event that energized all who attended.”

Local ham radio clubs were represented at the event and offered assistance, along with District Emergency Coordinator Charlie Benn, WB2SNN; South County Emergency Coordinator Bob Vastola, KK4ATI; North County Emergency Coordinator Chris Anderson, KK4ENJ, and Porter. Section Manager Jeff Beals, WA4AW, and Section Emergency Coordinator Larry Zimmer, W4LWZ, attended.

Activities included demonstrations of emergency power equipment, digital communications using packet and Winlink, National Traffic System™ and NTS™ digital communication, how to built an effective UHF/VHF antenna, portable VHF and UHF antennas, and what’s inside a Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle. -- Thanks to Barry Porter, KB1PA