Resources - Partisan Comms Group
Resources
A curated library of references and training resources for amateur radio, communications, preparedness, and resilient operations.
Websites & Links
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
The national association for amateur radio in the United States. Provides licensing information, technical articles, emergency communications resources, operating guides, and educational materials for operators at every skill level.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The federal agency responsible for regulating radio communications in the United States. Includes licensing information, rulemaking documents, frequency allocations, and regulatory guidance.
RepeaterBook
A comprehensive directory of amateur radio repeaters throughout the United States and many international locations. Useful for travel planning, field operations, and discovering local repeater networks.
QRZ
One of the largest amateur radio resources online, featuring call sign lookups, logging tools, operating references, and community resources.
Parks on the Air (POTA)
A popular amateur radio operating program that encourages portable operation from parks and public lands. Includes activator resources, awards, and operating information.
Summits on the Air (SOTA)
An international amateur radio program focused on portable operations from mountain summits and self-sufficient field communications.
SolarHam
Provides solar weather information, propagation forecasts, sunspot data, and geomagnetic activity reports that help operators understand HF radio conditions.
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
Official NOAA resource offering solar activity forecasts, geomagnetic storm alerts, and radio propagation information.
JS8Call
A weak-signal digital communications application based on FT8 technology that allows keyboard-to-keyboard messaging and resilient low-bandwidth communications over HF radio.
Meshtastic
An open-source mesh networking platform that uses low-power radio devices to create decentralized communications networks without internet connectivity.
Guides & How-Tos
FCC Amateur Radio License Information
Official FCC licensing information, application procedures, and regulatory guidance for prospective and current amateur radio operators.
ARRL Licensing and Education
Study resources, licensing guides, educational materials, and training information for Technician, General, and Amateur Extra license classes.
VHF/UHF Propagation Primer
A practical introduction to VHF and UHF propagation concepts, helping operators understand how terrain, atmospheric conditions, and antenna placement affect communications.
Rhizomatica HF Radio Guide
A practical guide explaining HF radio fundamentals, operating concepts, and long-distance communications techniques.
ARRL Antenna Resources
Technical articles and practical guidance covering antenna design, installation, troubleshooting, and optimization.
ARRL RF Safety Resources
Educational material explaining radio frequency exposure, station evaluation, and safe operating practices.
JS8Call Documentation
Official documentation, setup instructions, and operational guidance for one of amateur radio's most useful weak-signal digital communication platforms.
CHIRP Programming Software
Free, open-source radio programming software supporting hundreds of amateur, GMRS, and commercial radios.
Q-Signals Reference
A practical guide to the most common Q-signals used in amateur radio. Learn the shorthand operators use to communicate efficiently on voice, Morse code, and digital modes.
RST Signal Reporting Guide
Learn how amateur radio operators evaluate signal quality using the Readability, Strength, and Tone reporting system.
Calculators & Tools
Interactive calculators and planning tools designed to help amateur radio operators, field communicators, and preparedness-minded individuals make informed technical decisions.
Dipole Antenna Calculator
Calculate dipole antenna dimensions for amateur radio bands using frequency-based formulas. Includes band reference information and practical guidance for field deployment and station planning.
Cable Size Calculator
Determine recommended DC power cable sizes based on voltage, current draw, and cable length. Helps reduce voltage drop and improve station reliability for radios, power supplies, batteries, and field equipment.
Battery Runtime Calculator
Estimate operating time for portable radio stations using battery capacity, current draw, and operating style. Useful for emergency communications, POTA, SOTA, field deployments, and off-grid operations.
Ham Dashboard
A live amateur radio operating dashboard featuring weather, propagation, space weather, satellite tracking, radar, lightning, grey line mapping, and situational awareness resources in a single view.
Training Resources
American Radio Relay League
ARRL Learning Center
Online training courses covering licensing, operating practices, emergency communications, antennas, digital modes, and technical fundamentals.
Gordon West
Gordon West Radio School
One of the most recognized amateur radio training programs in the United States, offering study guides, courses, and exam preparation materials.
FEMA
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
FEMA-supported training program that teaches basic disaster response skills, emergency preparedness, and community resilience.
FEMA
FEMA Independent Study Program
Free online courses covering emergency management, incident command systems, disaster response, and preparedness planning.
American Radio Relay League
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
A volunteer emergency communications program that supports communities and public service organizations during disasters and planned events.
FCC
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)
A government-supported emergency communications framework that allows amateur radio operators to assist during certain emergency conditions.
Parks on the Air
Parks on the Air Academy
Training materials and practical guidance for portable radio operations, field deployment, and outdoor communications activities.
Various
Local Amateur Radio Clubs
The best place to find mentors, participate in nets, learn practical operating skills, and connect with the amateur radio community in your area.
Various
Amateur Radio License Map
An interactive map that displays licensed amateur radio operators throughout the United States. Useful for identifying nearby operators, discovering local amateur radio activity, finding potential mentors, and exploring the amateur radio community in your area.
Emergency Preparedness
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Ready.gov
Official preparedness guidance from the U.S. government covering emergency planning, disaster readiness, evacuation planning, emergency kits, and family preparedness.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency resources covering disaster preparedness, recovery, mitigation, and emergency management best practices.
FEMA
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Community-based emergency preparedness and response training programs that teach disaster response, first aid, light search and rescue, and community resilience skills.
FEMA
National Preparedness Goal
Overview of the capabilities and planning concepts used throughout emergency management and disaster response.
American Red Cross
American Red Cross First Aid & CPR Training
First aid, CPR, AED, and emergency response training resources. Useful for field operators, outdoor activities, community preparedness, and emergency response situations.
REI Co-op Expert Advice
Outdoor Safety & Wilderness Preparedness
Resources covering outdoor safety, injury prevention, environmental hazards, and emergency response considerations for field operators, hikers, POTA activators, SOTA activators, and backcountry travelers.
Situational Awareness & Monitoring
RadioReference.com
RadioReference
Comprehensive scanner frequency database, trunked radio information, and monitoring resources.
RadioReference.com
Broadcastify
Live scanner audio feeds from public safety, aviation, railroad, and emergency services.
NOAA
National Weather Service
Official weather forecasts, warnings, advisories, and emergency weather information.
NOAA
NOAA Weather Radio
Nationwide weather alerting network providing continuous weather and emergency information.
NOAA
Aviation Weather Center
Weather products and forecasting tools used by pilots and aviation professionals.
Leadership & Incident Management
FEMA Emergency Management Institute
ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
Foundational training covering incident management principles and organizational structure.
FEMA Emergency Management Institute
ICS-200: Basic Incident Command System
Expanded training on incident management responsibilities and coordination.
FEMA Emergency Management Institute
IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS)
Introduction to the National Incident Management System and how organizations coordinate during emergencies.
FEMA Emergency Management Institute
IS-800: National Response Framework
Overview of how government agencies, organizations, and communities respond to major incidents and disasters.
Digital Resilience & Cybersecurity
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Government resources covering cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, threat awareness, and resilience planning.
National Institute of Standards and Technology
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Widely used framework for identifying, protecting, detecting, responding to, and recovering from cyber incidents.
Cyber Readiness Institute
Cyber Readiness Institute
Practical cybersecurity guidance designed for individuals, small organizations, and community groups.
CISA
Stop.Think.Connect.
Cybersecurity awareness resources focused on safe online behavior and risk reduction.
Historical Case Studies & Research
U.S. National Archives
National Archives
Historical records, government documents, and archival materials related to major events and public policy.
Library of Congress
Library of Congress Digital Collections
Primary-source materials covering American history, communications, civil defense, and emergency preparedness.
FEMA
FEMA Disaster Archives
Historical disaster information, after-action reports, and lessons learned from significant emergencies.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
DHS Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS) Resources
Case studies and observations from emergency management and incident response activities.