Info about our past and upcoming exercise(s) can be found here, like the recent one on Sat May 23, 2009.

Mandate: To give additional support of long range radio communications in the event of a repeater failure of our Niagara ARES vhf / uhf emergency service.

Mode of Operation: The GWEN network will be self supporting and able to exist utilizing its own emergency power supply, and not relying on the grid.
Propagation will be via both ground wave and near vertical incident sky wave (NVIS) on a frequency to be determined in the 80 meter ham band.

Requirements: An HF transceiver and antenna capable of 80 meter operation. The vertical antenna is preferred but a dipole using the Dipole/Vertical converter (ask ve3bbn) will cover both of the above modes of propagation. A generator or other means of self- sufficiency of power is paramount to emergency readiness, and most important, an unfailing desire to help your fellow man in the event of a disaster.

Executive: An executive will be formed within the first two meetings of the GWEN nets which will be on the 80 meter band on a frequency to be determined. This executive will set up a meeting with other GWEN / NVIS stations in the Hamilton and Toronto areas to give the needed extension of range layed out in the mandate.

Identification: The shirt/jacket patches of the Niagara and Frontenac chapters of GWEN have been made and are available for serious members. They can be viewed here or on www.va3xm.com.

Committment: Do you have that "unfailing desire"? Join ARES/GWEN!