Read the plan.
Program your HT.
Introduction to ICS-205 & HT Hand-Programming Workshop
A brief introduction to the Incident Radio Communications Plan, followed by a practical workshop using your own handheld radio.
Find your radio’s programming video ↓From a communications plan
to a ready-to-use radio.
- Read the ICS-205.Identify channel names, receive and transmit frequencies, tones, and channel assignments.
- Hand-program your HT.Enter the repeater and simplex channels using your radio’s front-panel controls—without a computer, programming cable, CHIRP, or codeplug software.
- Demonstrate your settings.Recall the channels and verify the frequency, offset, and tone information against the plan with the workshop evaluator.
What to bring
- Your handheld radio and antenna
- A fully charged battery
- The operating manual or a saved digital copy
- A phone and headphones if you’d like to follow a video
Watch your radio’s programming reference before the meeting, then bring it along and practice with us.
ARES task-book skills
Participants who successfully complete the exercise will receive a training record documenting the skills demonstrated:
- Program a tone into an HT.
- Program frequency and offset into a radio.
Keep the record with your ARES training documentation. Task-book sign-off follows your local ARES evaluator’s requirements.
Two channels. One shared plan.
Use the channel names from the ICS-205 so everyone can follow the same instructions, regardless of radio make or model.
| Setting | WR01 · Primary | US01 · Alternate |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Wednesday Net · K9DEW repeater | Simplex · if the repeater fails |
| Receive frequency | 147.330 MHz | 446.100 MHz |
| Transmit frequency | 147.930 MHz | 446.100 MHz |
| Offset | +0.600 MHz | None · simplex |
| CTCSS tone | 131.8 Hz | 131.8 Hz |
| Mode | Analog FM | Analog FM |
Workshop reference transcribed from the supplied plan details. Use the instructor’s ICS-205 for the exact RX and TX tone settings; tone encode and receive tone squelch are separate settings. Operational period: October 29, 2026, 1900–2100.
Find your HT.
Programming resources for the ten HTs discussed for this workshop. Focus on entering frequencies, offset, tone, and memory channels from the radio itself.
No matching radio. Clear the search to see all ten.
These are workshop references, not a sales ranking. Some videos cover related models or additional digital features. Firmware and menu names can vary. The Kenwood video is a broader first-time programming session; a dedicated GD-88 front-panel programming video has not yet been verified.
Build your amateur
radio Go-Bag.
ONE WEEK EARLY • THANKSGIVINGGrace Brethren Church
Day Road · Mishawaka, Indiana
What should you have ready when volunteering at a public-service or emergency communications event?
We’ll discuss preparing a practical Go-Bag for assignments such as the Chicago Marathon, Marine Mud Run, Apple Cider Century, and North Liberty Lights of Liberty.
- Radios, spare batteries, antennas, and headsets
- Chargers, power, and weather protection
- Identification, communications plans, and paperwork
- Food, water, and personal supplies
Lights of Liberty begins November 20—the following day. Arrive with your radio programmed and your gear ready.