In a multi‑agency communications drill held earlier this month, at least eleven DeKalb County ARES operators participated in “Operation Ainsley,” contributing to a regional functional exercise coordinated under Atlanta’s Urban Area Security Initiative. The amateur radio volunteers established a field station by 7:30 AM and deployed radio systems, including VHF, UHF, HF, Winlink, APRS, packet, VARA FM, and even Starlink satellite internet to facilitate emergency messaging and liaison with FEMA traffic. Impressively, they managed to restore communications from a public park while the local command vehicle’s usual systems were down—demonstrating operational value in real‑world conditions.

While the exercise was largely successful, several operational gaps were identified. Notably, there was a breakdown in written traffic flow among ARES stations due to unclear Winlink monitoring duties and inconsistent addressing. In addition, some digital gateways lacked interoperability—such as a VARA‑only gateway overlooking packet users—and another gateway failed to respond during the exercise. Tactical field deployment issues also emerged, including operator shortages when raising equipment and confusion over channel monitoring lists.

In response, the team is already implementing corrective actions. Plans include publishing a detailed Winlink directory ahead of each drill, assigning message identifiers on official incident command forms, enhancing gateway compatibility, and organizing teams of at least three operators to divide tasks efficiently. There’s also an emphasis on pre‑deployment testing of antennas and digital gear, and conducting workshops to familiarize volunteers with partner‑agency communication equipment—ensuring smoother operation next time.

DeKalb ARES’s performance underscores the strengths of amateur radio emergency networks: flexibility, rapid setup, and public engagement. They not only kept communications flowing during the simulation, but also took time to explain their operations to curious passers‑by. As one member aptly summarized, coordinating a late‑morning net while changing a tire and staying on frequency captures the spirit of amateur radio operators: committed, adaptable, and community‑minded.