Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) has been officially dropped by RAC and replace by ACS (Auxiliary Communication Service). ACS is in fact AuxComm, however this has not been well explained. AuxComm is both a universal emergency communication training standard, but also an emergency and disaster response concept.
This new concept is rarely well explained and so becomes confusing. Effectively AuxComm is a "hybrid" communication network which is normally managed by licensed amateur radio operators. Various kinds of radio gear can be used in this hybrid "Community Communication Hub" network including bubble pack FRS/GMRS type walkie talkies, CB's or other non-ham radios.
The Community Communication Hub is simply the communication component of a Community Disaster/Emergency Response Hub. As is explained in this video, these "Community Disaster and Emergency Response Hubs", organized and staffed by volunteers, would stand up during blackouts or other disasters or emergencies. The amateur radio component of this response could be considered an expanded version of Field Day.
Here is the video.
AuxComm and Community Hubs
This new concept is rarely well explained and so becomes confusing. Effectively AuxComm is a "hybrid" communication network which is normally managed by licensed amateur radio operators. Various kinds of radio gear can be used in this hybrid "Community Communication Hub" network including bubble pack FRS/GMRS type walkie talkies, CB's or other non-ham radios.
The Community Communication Hub is simply the communication component of a Community Disaster/Emergency Response Hub. As is explained in this video, these "Community Disaster and Emergency Response Hubs", organized and staffed by volunteers, would stand up during blackouts or other disasters or emergencies. The amateur radio component of this response could be considered an expanded version of Field Day.
Here is the video.
AuxComm and Community Hubs