It's finally here! A resource to help with that eternal question, "What should I have in my emergency jump 'go' kit?" Everyone, ham radio operator or the average American should have a basic first aid kit. Do you carry one in your car today?

There are many different ways that you could pack a jump kit.  In fact, your kit may have items that are not listed below.  Each person's needs will vary, and you are encouraged to examine your situation and make any necessary modifications to your jump kit.  This would include any medications or personal comfort items that you might need.  Also, since we are in the Kansas, a midwest and southern location, things like heavy jackets and snow shovels are usually not needed, but sun screen and insect repellent are vital.  Therefore, these items are tailored for Kansas A.R.E.S. groups. If another group uses this list, consideration will need to be given based on your location.

Since we believe in preserving as much mobility as possible, your philosophy should be that of the backpacker: to pack only what you can carry, yet enough to meet emergency needs.  Another way to put this, is to combat load your vehicle: "last in, first out." What will you need immediately in the emergency you are preparing for? Since our primary purpose in the event of an emergency is communication, we should not skimp as much in the area of station operation as we do in the personal comfort area.

To keep things straight, we have ordered the items hierarchically into three kits. The three kits are cumulative; that is, first there's the primary kit, then the basic is added to the primary for fixed station operation, then the extended kit for more than 24 hours of operation.  Of course, some items that fall into the category of survival are also important for operation (such as a multi-tool); we have listed these under personal / survival so that when we take a hike (literally), we won't forget anything.  However, for ease of packing, we have also ordered them in terms of where you carry them. Basically, we either wear it, carry it in a backpack, keep it in a tool box, or lock it in the car.

Primary Kit

For portable station operation (so basic you can't do without it)

Carried on your person

Pocket-size First Aid Kit

• Assorted band-aids
• Adhesive tape
• Gauze pads
• ACE bandage
• Moleskin
• Folding scissors
• Tweezers
• Needle
• Forehead thermometer
• Antiseptic wipes
• Anti-bacterial cream
• Tylenol pills
• Immodium pills
• Benadryl pills
• Bee sting pain relief capsule
• Eye-contact lens rewetting drops
• Eyeglass repair
• Lip balm
• Tampons (they also soak up blood from wounds)
• Personal prescription medications

For amateur radio

• Radio (2m HT w/ linear amp & power supply -OR- mobile unit w/ power supply)
• Earphone / headphones
• Extra batteries
• Speaker mike
• BNC adapters
• Cigarette lighter adapter
• Notebook & pen for dry conditions
• Waterproof paper & pencil for wet conditions
• Watch / clock

Within easy reach (in a wearable bag or backpack)

• Extra HT
• High gain HT antennas
• Extra AA batteries
• Extra 3A fuses for cigarette lighter adapter

Personal comfort/survival

Carried on your person

• Cap (head protection)
• ID (including ARES ID, and a copy of your FCC operating license)
• Money (One $10 bill, four $1 bills & 4 quarters)
• Multitool
• Medications
• Sun glasses
• Water container
• Snacks

Within easy reach (in a wearable bag or backpack)

• Insect repellent
• Address book
• Rubber bands
• Paper clips
• Mini first aid kit
• Vitamins
• Sun screen
• Rain poncho

Basic Kit

Fixed station operation

Within easy reach (in a wearable bag or backpack)

• Scanner or weather radio
• Clipboard w/ NTS forms etc.
• Maps (State, county; road, topographical)
• Markers
• Repeater directory
• Calculator
• Return address labels
• Post-Its

In a tool box

• 144 MHz SWR Meter
• Multimeter
• Propane solder torch
• Solder
• Small tape measure
• Remote antenna(s)
• Slingshot/fishing line
• Fuses
• 50 Ohm Coax
• Coax seal
• Duct tape
• Electrical tape
• Misc coax connectors and adaptors

Personal comfort/survival

Carried on your person

• Hiking boots
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Pocketed vest
• Chapstick
• Kleenex
• Compass/whistle/matches (a combination item available in camping stores)
• Earplugs
• Eye protection
• Hard candy
• Stainless steel mirror

Within easy reach (in a wearable bag or backpack)

• Binoculars
• Collapsible cup
• Cord (2 50' lengths)
• Flashlight
• Kerchief/towel
• Leather gloves
• Bags and baggies
• Safety pins
• Salt
• Water treatment tablets
• Hammock

In a tool box

• Rope
• Sterno tin

Extended operation (over 24 hours of duty)

Portable station operation

• Headset/mike

Fixed station operation

In a tool box

• Cigarette socket splitter
• Misc hand tools

In local, secure storage (such as in an automobile trunk)

• Antenna assortment
• Camp shovel
• Power station w/charge cords
• Mini jumper cables

Personal comfort/survival

Within easy reach (in a wearable bag or backpack)

• Food
• Eating utensils

In a tool box

• Butane lighter
• Fire sticks

In local, secure storage (such as in an automobile trunk)

• Change of clothes (with extra socks and underwear)
• Groom kit
• Main First Aid Kit

Optional

Within easy reach (in a wearable bag or backpack)

• Camera

Packing List

On your person (which may include a fanny-pack)

Communications

• 2m HT
• Speaker mike
• Extra HT battery
• BNC adapters
• Cigarette lighter adapter
• Earphone
• Notebook/pen
• Watch/clock

Other

• Hiking boots
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Pocketed vest
• ID (RACES badge, ARES badge, your FCC license, Drivers License)
• Money
• Sun glasses
• Multitool
• Compass/whistle/matches
• Rubber bands
• Paper clips
• Stainless steel mirror
• Mini first aid kit
• Medications
• Kleenex
• Chapstick
• Earplugs
• Eye protection
• Snacks
• Hard candy
• Water container
• Address book

Within easy reach (backpack)

Communications

• Extra HT
• Scanner or weather radio
• High gain HT antennas
• Extra AA batteries
• Extra 3A fuses for cigarette lighter adapter
• Clipboard w/NTS forms etc.
• Maps (State, county; road, topographical)
• Markers
• Repeater directory
• Calculator
• Post-Its
• Camera (optional)

Other

• Cap
• Binoculars
• Flashlight
• Hammock
• Kerchief/towel
• Leather gloves
• Rain poncho
• Insect repellent
• Sun screen
• Collapsible cup
• Eating utensils
• Food
• Salt
• Vitamins
• Water treatment tablets
• Bags and baggies
• Safety pins
• Cord (2 50' lengths)

In a tool box

Communications

• 144 MHz SWR Meter
• Multimeter
• Propane solder torch
• Solder
• Slingshot/fishing line
• Antenna assortment
• Headset/mike
• Fuses
• Cigarette socket splitter
• Coax
• Coax seal
• Duct tape
• Electrical tape
• Misc coax connectors and adapters
• Misc hand tools
• Small tape measure
• Return address labels

Other

• Butane lighter
• Fire sticks
• Rope
• Sterno

In local, secure storage (in the car)

Communications

• Power station w/charge cords
• Mini jumper cables

Other

• Change of clothes
• Groom kit
• Main First Aid Kit
• Camp shovel

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