Brazos County ARES
Weekly Brief
Week of June 5, 2026
From the EC
I want to start this week by saying thank you to everyone who participated in the 2026 Member Check-In & Capability Survey.
The survey is now complete, and I have begun reviewing the results. I was encouraged not only by the participation, but by the thoughtful feedback and comments that many of you provided. Taking the time to share your interests, capabilities, concerns, and ideas helps ensure that Brazos County ARES continues moving in a direction that reflects the needs of its members.
I will be sharing the survey findings and discussing next steps during our June meeting. Thank you again to everyone who took the time to participate and help shape the future of our organization.
Ron Estes | KJ5EFO
What’s New
Website Refresh Underway
We have been working on a facelift and update to the Brazos County ARES website.
The goal is simple: make information easier to find, improve communication with members, and create a more useful resource for both current and prospective members. Several updates have already been made, with additional improvements planned in the coming weeks.
If you have not visited recently, take a few minutes to explore the site and familiarize yourself with the resources available here.
Ready in Five
Take five minutes to verify that you can access your Winlink account and send a message.
If it has been a while since your last connection, now is a good opportunity to confirm your software is functioning properly, your passwords are current, and you are ready to communicate when needed.
Winlink CMS Gateway
145.090 MHz
Winlink CMS Gateway
145.070 MHz
Winlink Post Office
145.090 MHz
Operations Corner
Why We Exercise
Most communications failures during activations are not caused by equipment.
More often, they occur because operators are trying to remember procedures, settings, or workflows they have not used in months or years.
The purpose of exercises is not to prove what we know. It is to identify what we have forgotten while the consequences are low.
Every exercise, radio check, Winlink message, net participation, or training activity builds familiarity and confidence. Those small repetitions add up over time and become readiness.
Readiness is not built during an emergency. It is built beforehand.
Member Recognition
Thank you to the following members who participated in the 2026 Member Check-In & Capability Survey:
Kenneth Wilson (KE5DFR)
Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)
William Gregson Jurrens (K5GJ)
Karla Jurrens (KB5KJ)
Ron Hambric (N5SBN)
Russ McDonald (KL2PB)
Clark Quentin Pennington (KC5BHM)
Jeff McDowell (KI5CES)
Nathan McCreedy (KG5DPW)
Roseanne Cunningham (KC5FGG)
Robert Carter (NC5R)
Bruce A. Smith (WA5DVO)
Garrett Martin (W5HVS)
Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)
Carol Dodds (KJ6LHH)
Rick Swaims (W5RTF)
Amanda Fox (KD9NTE)
Larry S. Shiver (KJ5KFU)
Jason Shutt (KI5LGO)
Bradley Snyder (W5BLS)
Thomas Sanborn (KJ5DAA)
Blake Hearen (K5BAH)
Your participation provided valuable feedback and insight that will help guide future training, exercises, communications, and organizational priorities.
Upcoming Dates
Friday CEOC Work Session
Every Friday at 0900
Brazos County Emergency Operations Center
110 N. Main St., Suite 100
Bryan, TX 77803
The CEOC is a secured facility. Please gather outside and wait to be admitted. If arriving late, call on the W5BCS repeater.
Monthly ARES Meeting
Third Monday of each month
4244 Boonville Rd
Bryan, TX 77802
Monthly ARES Net
First Tuesday of each month
2030 Hours
KD5DLW Repeater
443.425 MHz
Closing Thought
A stronger organization is not built through one major event. It is built through consistent participation, continuous learning, and members who are willing to invest a little time today so they are ready tomorrow.