On Wed, 7 Nov 2012 11:15:07 EST, Channel Jumper
wrote:

If you do a internet search - you will find that ARES did nets on 20
meters, 40 meters and 80 meters.

The local ARES also did nets on 2 meters.

The problem with ARES is that they don't do much when there is not a
storm and most of the people who belongs to ARES is old and they do not
want to do much to help people besides talk on the radio.

Talking on the radio passing messages IS their job in an emergency.
And this IS helping people.

Unless there is a viable group of ARES members that can be deployed on a
moments notice - they are of no use to anyone when the call goes out.

Agreed. But I believe that most ARES units are able to be deployed at
amoments notice. We in Pahrump, NV can, and have been, deployed at a
moments notice.

And with the general mindset - most Amateur Radio Operators - at least a
majority of them only has a Technician Class License, hence they cannot
participate in ARES activities.

A technician license is all you need to join ARES and to be effective.
See http://www.arrl.org/ares Quoting from this page, "Every
licensed amateur ... is eligible to apply for membership in ARES."

There's plenty of need for VHF/UHF communications in an emergency. Not
everything happens at HF. Besides, in a localized disaster, VHF/UHF
is all you need.

Most VE's gives the Technician Class License exam and then hangs the new
ham out to dry.

The Pahrump VE Team does not do that. To every exam candidate,
whether they pass or fail, we pass out the following flyer:
http://www.ac7el.org/Congrats_What_Now.doc
One side says that we know that you will have many questions and we
are available to help, both in helping you decide what equipment to
buy or build, and in organizing an antenna-raising party. We list
names and phone numbers of ARES members who will help newbies. On the
back of the flyer is an explanation of our ARES organization and an
invitation to join us.

I posted this file to the usve group on Yahoo Groups, which is
restricted to VEs in the USA. I got many replies thanking me and
saying that they will adapt the flyer to their own location.

Dick Grady, AC7EL
To respond to me privately, email to:
My Call at My Call dot org