N5FDL Amateur Radio

Sample ARES business card (Click for larger image)I think every ARES/RACES/ACS leader should have a business card. They are easy and inexpensive to make or have printed and improve the professional image we seek to create as emergency communicators.

Recently, someone sent an email asking to see my card. I wasn’t able to scan the actual card—it’s a VistaPrint design with a U.S. flag and, yes, maybe I am overdoing it.

Based on a design by David Gillespie (Click for larger image)So, I created this new sample card, similiar to one I have used in the past. It’s really pretty simple. I didn’t include my address because it’s not really necessary.

I like to add a message to the back side of the card that explains who we are and promotes licensing:

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service of San Joaquin County is a volunteer group of ham radio operators who provide emergency and public service communications to our community.

To find out more—including how to become a licensed ham in just one day (no Morse code)—please contact us.

You might also want to add a line to the front or back that tells how a served agency can activate your group in an emergency. Something like:

Emergency activation via Sheriff’s Dispatch

That isn’t how we activate—we are updating the plan right now—but words to that effect might help make sure people can find you when emergency communications are needed.

You can print surprisingly nice cards on a color inkjet or laser printer using specialty card stock (Avery). The cards turn out better, I think, if you have them professionally printed. Any card, however, is better than no card.