American Red Cross

N4ARC

Chapter House: 5 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando, FL

407-894-4141

The American Red Cross of Central Florida is one of the local organizations Orange County Communications Auxiliary supports in case of a disaster.
The Disaster Operation Center (DOC) radio station, N4ARC, allows communication world wide if needed. The DOC is located at the Reserve Marine Corps on Primrose Avenue in Orlando.
The station is equiped with a Kenwood TMD-700 which allows APRS and VHF or VHF , an Alinco DR-610 for VHF-VHF, VHF-UHF and/or UHF-UHF; an HF transceiver and a VHF Low 47.42 MHz Red Cross national frequency. A Motorola 800 MHz trunk is used to communication with Osceola County Emergency Management. All antennas are mounted on the roof.

The picture above shows all the radio equipment and Chuck, K9PQR?, Disaster Chairman and Jacques, N4JCV, Communication Chairman, both are members of Orange County Communications Auxiliary.
As we have our own call sign anybody can operate the station as long as a control operator is present. The station will be a very busy when in operations with many frequency to monitor.
The American Red Cross may need communication assistance in disasters other than natural causes. The events of September 11, 2001 have demonstrated the usefulness and efficiency of ARES/RACES and other Amateur Radio operators.

Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties are host in case of any evacuation in the State and mainly from the South and both coast, we also may be needed to assist the American Red Cross Hurricane Watch located at the Carpenter's Union on Hoffner Avenue in Orlando. We may also be needed for events happening outside of the urban area such as brush fires.
In other words we have to be ready for whatever will be dished out. The DOC may be moved to another location and this page will be updated accordingly.

---