What and Who is AREC ?

Amateur Radio has always been in the forefront whenever a disaster strikes, be it a flood, a cyclone, an earthquake or any kind of natural or man made situation. Amateur Radio is internationally accepted as the MAIN means of emergency communications and has proved it is invaluable in such situations. Indian hams have always rallied round in every possible emergency and their efforts have always been lauded.

AREC is the public service arm of Amateur Radio Society of India. Many hams get involved in providing communications for  natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides and man-made disasters. The AREC will be activated when basic communication system fails in a particular region.

The word ‘Amateur’ in AREC typically means that we are unpaid volunteers with a goal to achieve the highest standards in providing emergency communication. Members are drawn from every walk of life and profession as long as they are licensed Amateur Radio Operators.

Members in AREC

All Amateur Radio operators are eligible to volunteer as a member in their region. Regional AREC coordinators will be nominated to the group on the recommendation of the Chief Coordinator.

To volunteer as a member of AREC please submit your details using this form:

ARSI-AREC-Volunteer Enrollment Form

All volunteers must mandatorily also sign the ARSI-AREC Volunteer Waiver agreement.

Please download the ARSI-AREC Volunteer Waiver Agreement, sign the same and send it to the address below:
Amateur Radio Society of India
No. 635, 6th Main Road, (Next to Bank of India)
Hanumanthnagar, Bangalore-560019

AREC Structure 

The Chief Coordinator is the national head of AREC assisted by two Deputy Chief Coordinators. The Chief Coordinator and his deputies are responsible for:

1. The general conduct of the organisation, and training of ARSI-AREC volunteers on a regional and national basis.
2. Coordination of ARSI-AREC with the Govt. Agencies like NDMA, NDRF & other Voluntary Organisations
3. Liaison with the State Director of Civil Defense.
4. Obtaining approval from local administration.
5. The monitoring and clearance of AREC frequencies.
6. Allocation of ARSI Grab-Kits to AREC Regional Coordinators at various locations that are disaster prone in different regions.
7. Coordination with Volunteers, Regional AREC coordinators, Ham Radio Clubs and Organisations.

The Chief Coordinator is appointed by the ARSI Managing Committee, annually. The Deputy Chief Coordinators are also appointed by the ARSI Managing Committee on the recommendation of the Chief Coordinator.

Before any emergency or in the event of an emergency – What do I do?

Some suggestions for ham radio operators:

1. 1. Know your Club officials names and phone numbers and keep them handy.
   2. Know your ARSI-AREC regional coordinators and volunteers
   3. Be familiar with your repeater services and frequencies, with a knowledge of the service area.
   4. The AREC Calling Channel is 3900 KHz LSB / 7100 KHz LSB. Also available for assistance are your local VHF/UHF repeaters.
   5. If necessary, break-in on either HF or VHF/UHF nets, with identification and call for assistance. Maintain a log of all activities and communication.
   6. In the event of an emergency communication requirement contact your nearest AREC Regional Coordinator.
   7. ARSI-AREC will provide and update the list of Volunteers, AREC Regional Coordinators, Deputy Chief Coordinators and Chief Coordinator information on the web page.