Greene County ARES  
Jump-Kits

6/19/04

 

Jump Kit, Go Kit, Ready Kit, whatever you choose to call it, is the list of items that you have packed up ready to go in the event of a call-out. Several versions exist and can be found on the internet, from the very simple and obvious, to the very extensive for the "Ham-on-the-go". Below you will find a couple of lists for your consideration . Each list builds upon the previous list.
I urge all Amateur Radio operators to have at least the basic kit, 
(Kit One - Radio Bag and Kit Two - Personal Comfort) ready at all times.
 Emergencies seldom give warning!

Be Ready to Roll
 Have a kit or small bag packed ready to grab it and go.
Keep in mind - the area that you are going to assist in will probably be without power/heat, water and telephone services. Also, most business in the area will not be open due to the emergency,
so keep this stuff packed and ready to roll.

Kit One - Radio Bag

You can download a printable version at the 
GCARES Download Center

  • Your GCARES ID - and be sure to have your Drivers license with you as well.
  • 1 or more HT’s, at least 1 Dual Band is recommended.
  • The dry cell  battery pack and 2 extra sets of batteries. (It is easier to find a store selling alkaline batteries enroute than a place to plug in your charger for 6 hours in a disaster. Remember, - no power. The batteries can be rotated out of the kit semi-annually )
  • BNC,SMA,PL-250, SO-239 adapters for your set-up to connect to a mag mount antenna
  • The car charger cord for your HT's.
  • A copy of your radio manual or a cheat sheet. (make this up ahead of time)
  • A headset w/ mike - can keep both hands free - consider a noise canceling mike.
  •  
  • A notebook / logbook and clipboard.
  • Several pens and pencil's, (they always seem to disappear.)
  • Your "favorite" pain relievers - aspirin / Tylenol / Advil / sinus / Rolaids / Chap stick / hand cream / throat lozenges / Imodium / sun block / mosquito repellant / etc*. 
  • Any prescribed medications.- (Most non-refrigerated medications have a shelf life of up to 12 to 18 months. You can safely keep a 2-3 day supply in a small bottle in your kit and rotate them thru about every 6 months. Keep your kit in a cool dry location** 
    Check with your Doctor or Pharmacist about your particular prescriptions.    ) Ed
    Determine the number of hours / days your jump-kit is set-up for and plan for how many of each type of OTC and RX medications you will need    .
  • A multi-tool like Gerber or Leatherman or a Swiss Army knife. Get a good one. Lesser brands are not reliable.
  • Any special size tools your radio uses like tiny screwdrivers, etc.
  • A GOOD flashlight! AND Extra batteries! (I recommend either NOT keeping the batteries in the flashlight, or placing a piece of wax paper over one of the batteries. Flashlights have a habit of turning themselves on in the bag and burning out the first set of batteries.)
  • A "Top Spot" "Head light" that mounts on your head or clips on a hat. 
  • For product suggestions, go to N8ACU web site HERE
  • A couple of Snacks / Chewing Gum etc.
  • 1 or 2 bottles or water or Juice
  • $$CASH$$! If the phone lines are out,  ATM Machines and online charge / bank card terminals may not work either

Oversized Items
These Items won't fit in a small bag, but can be kept in a box- marked- and Ready to Roll.

  • Your GCARES Binder - See recommended contents HERE.

  • Mag-mount antenna(s) for your radio(s)
  • Don't laugh - a Pizza Pan. - works great as a portable ground plane on 5/8 wave 2 meter magnetic mount antenna's. This way, if your assigned an inside post, you don't have to keep running out to your vehicle.
  • A green or orange day-glow vest imprinted with "Emergency Communications" for visibility and identification / recognition.
  • A Hard Hat. It may be a requirement by authorities for your particular post.
  • Magnetic "Amateur Radio Communications" signs - identifies your vehicle.
  • Jumper cables.
  • A serious First Aid Kit.- For detailed suggested list, go HERE.
  • Battery operated AM/FM radio or mini AM/FM radio / TV. 

The perishable items can be replenished a couple of times a year to prevent batteries or medications from becoming stale. Prescription and OTC drugs usually have a shelf life up to 18 to 24 months.

*Brand names listed here are registered trademarks of the respective companies.
 Brand's listed here are simply used as examples.
** This information comes from the author's 18 years experience working in the Pharmacy industry. 
As always, talk with your Doctor or Pharmacist about your particular prescriptions. 

 ******** PLUS ********

Kit Two - Personal Comfort.
4 to 12 hours service
This kit should be an integral part of your basic Jump-Kit.

  • More Snacks. ( Little Debbie's ,pudding cups, fruit cups, Handi-packs etc. and Gum).
  • Water and  juice or Gatorade. (Too much water can flush out your electrolytes.)
  • Wet Wipes./ Towelettes, 
  • Small rags or small towel.
  • A pair of rugged gloves (you don’t know what you’re going to get into)
  • An extra sweatshirt or jacket.
  • A baseball cap and/or ski hat
  • Extra sox.
  • Rugged Boots for outdoor work. Comfortable shoes for indoor work
  • An umbrella, and / or rain suit
  • Toilet Paper - You never know....
  •  A portable chair -(folding lawn type).
    While it most likely won't fit in a bag, it should be taken along in the event you are stationed in one location for a long period of time.

 

Kit Three -Extended Stay 72 Hours
Shelter Provided
This kit presumes that your overnight stay will have at least primitive indoor lodging.
Grab your Radio Chargers for this trip!

  • MORE CASH!

  • 2 or 3 changes of clothes - (3 days stay away from home) 

  • Toiletries - Shaver, soap, Tooth brush and paste, Shampoo, eyeglass / contact lens cleaner, etc)

  • A Wind-Up Alarm Clock 

  • Backpack  / belt pack- /"Fanny Pak" to carry some supplies with you in a field trek from "base"

  • A warm blanket

  • Sleeping Bag

  • Pillow

  • More Batteries. (The radio kit above is designed to last up to 12 hours, not 3 days. Get More)

  • Extra Flashlight (Again--- More Batteries)

  • A Propane Camp Light ( Coleman Type)

  • 2 or more extra mantles for the propane lantern (They are fragile!)***

  • 1 or 2 extra cans of propane - Pack Safely!

  • 50 ft. extension cord

  • Multi outlet power strip

  • A small electric desk lamp.

***Our thanks to W1IDZ for this suggestion.
NOTE TO WEBMASTERS - I have seen some web sites claiming a copy write for information such as this.
Let's Get Real.  There is no real proprietary information here. 
The purpose of these sites is to help all who read them.
 If you wish to print this information for your personal use or copy it to your web site... 
You Have Our Permission!

 

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