1	Putting Together a Jump-Kit Or, don’t forget your radio because you remembered you forgot your antenna.
2	What is a Jump-Kit? A collection of things you need to respond when called A bag or box with all the toys you will need when away from home playing with your radio The vehicle you carry it all in
3	What Should be Included? The really important stuff – don’t leave home without them The sort of important stuff that you will want most of the time The kind of important stuff you will want once a season, or for really big events The left-overs, including stuff for extended call-ups, and ARESMAT responses
4	What to Put It In? Bags, backpacks, and boxes Stuff sacks and “Gerber jars” Ziploc, Omniseal, and sandwich bags
5	Care and Feeding Costs Stock rotation Last minute items Seasonal issues
6	The Really Important Stuff Do NOT leave home without: Identification Photo ID (Drivers License) Copy of FCC License Other ID (Emergency Management, Hospital, Health Insurance, Next of Kin, etc.) A radio A 5W dual band HT is preferred Charged batteries for the radio AND a case for dry cell batteries A (well read) copy of the manual
7	More Really Important Stuff An Antenna Magnetic mount ¼ wave If you use a “rubber duckie” make sure it is flexible and won’t get in the way. Get a higher gain antenna than the stock antenna. A j-pole and cable is also a good idea Stationery Supplies Paper on a clipboard with a sheet of plastic over it Pen/Pencil/Sharpie TP/Paper towels/Shop rags Message forms/ARL translation pages
8	Still More Really Important Stuff Personal Medications Your favorite pain reliever (aspirin/NSAID) “Sucky things” (to keep your throat moist) Allergy medicine (if you need it) Other meds you feel you need (Pepto, sunscreen, lip balm, etc) Appropriate Clothing and Footwear Including a hat Food and Water
9	Important Things Money Small bills Change Extra Power “Wall wart” and cigarette lighter for your HT Deep cycle batteries Various pig tails to connect everything Power strip(s) Inverter
10	More Important Things Connectors SMA to X BNC to X Noise reduction devices Headset/ear bud Boom mic/speaker mic Reference material Frequency charts Repeater guide/Net guide
11	A Few More Important Things Flashlight Multi-tool Duct tape Loose wire Cable ties/Velcro ties First aid kit Work gloves
12	Kind of Important Stuff A collapsible chair A collapsible table Pizza pan Spare connectors Change of clothes Clock/wrist watch Extension cord
13	Long Activations and ARESMAT When we talk about long activations, we are talking about those activations that will not allow you to go home between your shifts You may have to carry all your gear with you Looking and smelling good may become optional
14	Long Activations and ARESMAT – Personal Needs Shelter Small or large tent Pavilion or sunshade Maintenance medications Toiletries More than one pair of underwear
15	Long Activations and ARESMAT – Functional Needs Higher power radios Mobile Base stations Power Deep cycle batteries Dry cells Gas/oil for the generator Light Powered lantern (gas/electric)
16	Long Activations and ARESMAT – Other Things Sleeping bag/mat Sweater/sweatshirt Downtime entertainment Cards Books Games Etc.
17	A Quick Review Really Important ID, radio, something to write with, something to write on, and an antenna Important Money, power, connections Kind of Important Chair, table, clock, pizza Long time out Maintenance meds, high power rigs, more power, and some creature comforts
18	What to Put It In? Bags Diaper bags Range/pistol bags Gym bag Backpacks Consider one with a built in hydration system Plastic boxes Limited use if you have to “take it with you” VOMP® A vest with pockets can be useful A Hummer H2 or similar truck
19	Stuff Sacks and “Gerber Jars” Pack your clothes in stuff sacks Get rid of all glass jars in your gear Garbage bags make great waterproof containers Compression stuff sacks make things even smaller
20	Ziploc, Omniseal and Sandwich Baggies Bring a bag to cover your HT with in case it rains (and you forgot your rain coat). Sandwich bags work as do special bags from outfitters. Ziploc bags are indispensable. Have a handful of different sizes. Omniseal or similar make good covers for maps and documents and are sturdier than Ziploc bags.
21	A Quick Review Something Sturdy Put your radio gear in one bag and your personal stuff in another No GLASS Pack things in sub containers Plastic bags and vests are very useful
22	Care and Feeding of your Jump-Kit - Costs It costs a lot of money to put a Jump-Kit together. Take care of it. Don’t buy it all at once Jump-Kits grow and evolve over time. Don’t be afraid to exclude something from your kit that you never use.
23	Stock Rotation Food, water and medications have a shelf life. Rotate your stocks so you are not ingesting expired stuff. People change over time. When was the last time you tried on the pants in your kit? How about that shirt?
24	Last minute items Make a list of things to grab at the last minute. Water, maintenance meds, fresh food snacks. Don’t leave water in your hydration systems. Fill them before each event and empty and clean them afterwards. Don’t forget your RAIN COAT.
25	Seasonal Issues Dress in layers in the winter time. Add extra clothes to your kit for winter call outs. Sunscreen is more important in the spring and summer, but you may need it in the winter. 40 degree temperature changes are not uncommon. Dress appropriately.
26	The Last Review Don’t forget your rain coat Take care of your kit Rotate your food, water and meds Make sure your clothes still fit Kits evolve over time Toss it if you don’t use it Make a list of last minute items you don’t want to forget Did I mention the rain coat?
27	BE PREPARED But don’t go overboard …and when all else fails…