The Go Bag or a Deployment Kit has the 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.

All ARES members should have at least the basics at hand, 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. Suggested items are listed below. Customize the contents as needed.

Personal Items

• Personal medical supplies
• Cash for unexpected expenses
• Bottled water, snacks, food
• First aid kit
• Knife, tape, flash light, tools
• Appropriate clothing

Radio Equipment

• Mobile radio set to ARES frequencies
• Two meter or dual band HT w/extra battery packs
• Magnetic mount antenna
• External microphone for HT
• Headphones for your radio
• Spare radio fuses

Identification & Documents

• ARES ID badge
• Ohio driver's license or state ID
• ARES band plan chart
• Copy of your FCC license
• Outline for net operations and log sheets
• Extra pens, paper, clip board, etc.

Duty Bag 1—Basic Kit

• TRO T-Shirt
• Canteen with water (2 quarts)
• Snacks: four Power Bars
• Fanny pack with earphone, sun screen, chap stick, small pocket knife, pen, small pad.
• First-aid kit (Motrin, Imodium, Dramamine, Tylenol, Benadryl, insect repellent, earplugs)
• Toilet paper, Kleenex, cups
• Towel (small)
• Pocket knife (multifunction)
• Flashlights (Maglites, large and small)
• Camera with film
• Pens, pencils, markers, note pad, small calculator, miniature office set
• Clipboard: with paper
• Repeater directory (local and national)
• Maps (AAA area or Thomas Guides) and compass (in car)
• Wicked Weather gear - Ski hat and gloves, leather gloves with liners, rain poncho, collapsible umbrella, TRO ball cap
• Space blanket
• Waterproof matches, butane lighters
• Parachute cord (two 50-foot lengths)
• Power cord (9 foot, 110 Vac)
• Roll of black electrical tape
• Garbage bags (two 55 gallon, four large ziplock)
• AM/FM radio and batteries
• Binoculars
• Four Cyalume light sticks (12-hour, green)
• Strobe-marker light
• Dust and wind goggles

Duty Bag 2—Radio Kit

• Coax: 25 ft RG-58/U, 100 ft RG-8X, 10 ft RG-58/U, 6 ft RG-58/U
• Connectors and adapters: PL-259 TO BNC, N, SO-239, barrel connectors, etc.
• HT accessories, speaker mic, earphone, earphone with tie-clip mic, dc power plug, dc nicad charger, AA battery pack, cigarette-lighter power adapter.
• Magnetic-mount antenna for HT
• Extended gain antenna for HT
• Electrical tape and duct tape
• Small tools; larger tool case in car
• Butane lighter
• Spare D cell and AA batteries
• Fire extinguisher

Not in bag, but bring if necessary:

• Gel cells and Quantum or Innova battery packs
• J-pole or quad antennas
• Butane torch and butane, wire cutters, and spare connectors for repairs

Duty Bag 3—Support

• Cooking stove (dual fuel), unleaded gas and camping fuel
• Quart fuel bottle (camping fuel)
• Cooking kit: small pot, dish, eating utensils, 2-qt plastic measuring cup
• Water: 3 gallons (depending on duration of event); have at least one case of 1-gallon bottles ready to go, in the house
• Lantern (dual fuel)
• Extra matches, lighters, fire-starter stick
• Plastic trash bags
• Grooming kit: shaver, soap, etc.
• Extra clothing, socks, warm clothing, parkas
• 50-ft rope (5/16-inch diameter)
• 50-ft 110-Vac extension cord
• 110-Vac outlet strip
• Food: three-day supply; MRE, freeze-dried, etc.
• Hiking boots, work boots
• Small folding shovel

Not in bag, but bring if necessary:

• Two-man tent
• Sleeping bag with foam pad
• Ground cloth
• Backpack
• Portable reflector lamp (110 Vac)
• Personal medication (seven-day supply)
• Small folding chair

First-Aid Kit

• Ace wrap
• Alcohol wipes
• Antacid (Mylanta)
• Antiseptic wipes
• Bandaids: 12 various sizes
• Benadryl
• Decongestant
• Dressing tape
• Dressings: eight 2-inch × 2-inch
• Dressings: eight 4-inch × 4-inch
• Eye dressings
• Eye wash
• First-aid book
• Gauze rolls (Kerlix)
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Instant cold pack
• Magnifying glass</li>
• Motrin or aspirin
• Pen and paper
• Pepto Bismol
• Polysporin ointment
• Pressure dressings
• Q-tips
• Scissors
• Splinter-removal kit
• Steri-Strips
• Sun block
• Thermometer
• Triangular bandage
• Tylenol
• Vinyl gloves

Alternative Duty Bags

• Bags 1a and 1b are designed to be combined, if desired. The backpack is optional.
• Bag 1a—Mission Support, 4 to 5 hours
• Small Fanny Pack (or small backpack, if combined with Bag 1b)
• HT (may be carried outside fanny pack)
• AA Battery Pack for HT
• Extended-shelf-life water (16 oz)
• Power bars (4)
• Space blanket
• TRO roster
• Code book.
• Compass
• Pen
• Waterproof matches
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Small flashlight
• Small knife

Bag 1b—Mission Support, 36 to 48 hours

• Small backpack (optional)
• HT
• HT case.
• Speaker mic
• Quantum Battery (or similar)
• HT instruction manual
• Repeater directory
• Extended-range antenna
• Car-window mount for extended-range antenna
• Cigarette-lighter adapter for HT
• AM/FM radio (powered by same battery size as HT)
• Large flashlight
• Cyalume sticks (4)
• Strobe light
• Water (2 quarts)
• Water-purifying tablets
• Cup
• Small Rope
• Bag 1a (should fit inside)
• Small clipboard
• Miniature office set
• Rain/wind gear
• AAA maps of the local area
• Small backpacker towel
• Work gloves
• Insect repellent
• Electrical tape
• Toothbrush and paste
• Disposable camera and film
• Binoculars
• Plastic bags
• Spare batteries (appropriate sizes for radios and flashlights)
• Electrical tape
• First-aid kit (small)
• MREs (4)—don’t substitute for this

Sleeping bag (if required)

This bag should be mostly packed at all times save for HT equipment and Bag 1a. Prepare a personal checklist to ensure those items not kept in the bag are added before going out. Water should be changed quarterly and bag repacked annually.

Bag 2—Mobile-Radio Communications

• HT accessories not carried in Bag 1 (i.e. chargers)
• Portable-packet supplies
• Magnetic-mount antenna for HT
• J-pole or quad antennas
• Additional spare batteries</li>
• Gel cells
• 25-ft power cords (2) (110 Vac)
• Power strip (110 Vac).
• Coax: 25 ft, 10 ft, 6 ft RG-58/U; 100 ft RG-8X
• Connectors and adapters: PL-259 to BNC, N, SO-239, barrel connectors, etc.
• Fire extinguisher
• Small tool kit

Bag 3—Extended Operations, Mission Support, 3 to 7 days

• Large Backpack
• Items as required from Bag 1
• MREs (2 to 3 per day)
• Power Bars
• Water filter or purification tablets
• Grooming kit
• Personal medication
• Extra clothing
• Cold/wet-weather gear as required
• Hiking boots
• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Headlamp
• Plastic trash bags

Not in Bag, but optional if "car camping:"

• Cooking stove
• Cooking kit
• Fuel
• Extra water
• Lantern
• Small folding chair