Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)/Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM)
The Johnson County ARES/AUXCOMM group is open to all licensed Amateur Radio operators. You do not have to be an ARRL member to join.
We have a weekly training radio net every Thursday at 6:30 pm on the K5OO 147.045 (no tone) repeater located north of Clarksville, AR. All Amateur Radio operators are invited to check-in.
Where: JCDEM EOC Conference Room in basement of the Johnson County Courthouse at 215 W Main St, Clarksville, AR (use the back door in the alleyway between the Courthouse and Post Office; if you need elevator access, please call Klay at 479-774-0128 when you arrive)
Who: Anyone interested in Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) or Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM) is invited to attend.
For more information text/call Klay at 479-774-0128
WHO: - All Emergency Responders that may respond to a search and rescue incident including law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, ARES/AUXCOMM, and Search and Rescue team members. - Every Johnson County Fire Department is encouraged to have at least 2-4 personnel that have attended this training especially Captains and above. - Anyone that is interested in getting involved with search and rescue or just wants more information about search and rescue. - This course is open to the public
WHAT: Johnson County DEM Search and Rescue is hosting a National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) Introduction to Search and Rescue (ISAR) course in Johnson County on August 9 & 16, 2025. The ISAR course helps prepare you to conduct search and rescue operations in a non-wilderness environment. This is a roughly 16-20 hour course. Most of the course will take place in a classroom setting with some hands on practice taking place in a field setting.
WHEN: Saturday, August 9 starting at 8:30 am - ~7:00 pm Saturday, August 16 starting at 8:30 am - ~7:00pm
WHERE: The classroom portion of this course will take place in the Johnson County EOC Conference Room in the basement of the Johnson County Courthouse. The address for the Courthouse is: 215 W Main St Clarksville, AR 72830
Some outside field portions of the course will take place on the afternoon of the second Saturday at a location that will be announced during the class.
COST: - Johnson County Responders: No Charge (Must still register) - ISAR Course: $30/student for Arkansas residents - SARTech III Certification Exam Coupon Code for online test for Arkansas residents: $30/student - Non-Arkansas residents will be charged the current NASAR fees for their state and/or membership status - Purchase a personal copy of the NASAR Introduction to Non-Wilderness Search and Rescue Book: $45/each
Course Materials: - The NASAR Introduction to Non-Wilderness Search and Rescue book is the textbook for this course. - You may purchase the Introduction to Non-Wilderness Search and Rescue book yourself from the NASAR Store or Amazon. - The Instructor may have a limited number of these books available for purchase at $45 per book. If you would like to purchase one please select that option on the registration page. - The Johnson County Dept of Emergency Management has a limited number of these book available for loan to Johnson County responders. - The old NASAR Introduction to Search and Rescue book is also still acceptable for this class. It is still available from Amazon.
ADDITIONAL INFO: - Deadline to register is Monday, August 4 - Any balance due will need to be paid at the start of the class - This is a 16-20 hour course. Students will be expected to attend the whole course. - Arkansas Fire Fighters are eligible to receive up to 8 hours of Act 833 Certified Training credits. Contact Klay for details. - It is possible ALETA/CLEST may award Arkansas LEOs continuing education credits. Contact Klay for details.
Optional NASAR SARTech III Certification Exam: The NASAR SARTech III Non-Wilderness Responder is an operations level non-wilderness responder certification that is good for 3 years before requiring renewal.
Contact Klay at the Emergency Management office at 479-754-6383 during courthouse business hours (8:00 am-4:30 pm M-F) or call/text 479-774-0128 if you are interested or for more information.
To register for this class please complete the online registration form, contact Klay at the Emergency Management office at 479-754-6383 or text/call 479-774-0128, or use the QR Code below:
How to get your Amateur Radio Technician License
There are many resources available online to help you study for the Amateur Radio Technician License Exam. A few sources are provided below.
