You registered with ARES now what?   To be a valuable resource you need to do

1.Make A commitment  - to be the best operator you can by

2.Learn to operate your equipment  - if you don't know how to operate your equipment, you value in a disaster is limited

3.Voice & Digital  - know how to operate more than one mode.   Voice is obvious, but packet and D-Star are good tools to know.

4.ARRL – Emcomm Level I  - this is a great course, and should be a part of your training as an ARES volunteer.  Yes, it costs money, but most things worth having do!

5.Practice -- check in to the nets as often as you can.   Just the act of listening to a NCS will help you during a disaster,  but suggest that the net do more than just take check-ins

6.ITU Phonetics - know these as well as you know the alphabet.  The will be used in emergency and disaster communications

7.Participate - take part in drills, community service events, training opporturnites.   If you are too busy to find the time to do this, then perhaps you are too busy for ARES.

8.Go-Kit -- build one.  There are great sites to give you ideas.