When a natural disaster strikes and emergency communication goes down, never fear, amateur radio operators (“hams”) are here! Using generators and antennas, hams can communicate via voice with microphones, or Morse code, and even send data, text, or images through a computer or tablet by interfacing with the radio, all without relying on towers.
Pat Williams, spokesperson for the Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club of Greenville told Reflector.com, “We’re a public service organization. We’re basically the last line of communication.”
There are over 7,000 active amateur radio clubs throughout the United States, with more than 700,000 licensed radio operators, many with decades of volunteer service under their belts. There’s a national association for amateur radio, the American Radio Relay League. Many enthusiasts are drawn to the hobby because of their interest in the weather and now, hams in their sixties are trying to encourage the next generation of operators to get involved, reported Reflector.com. A ham can purchase equipment to get started with the hobby for about $400, plus get licensed by the FCC. Through their pastime, hams learn about geography and the electronics to track weather conditions, and share a camaraderie with other aficionados.
Jeff Meyer, Brightleaf’s treasurer, and a 40-year licensed ham, works with SKYWARN, a volunteer program through the National Weather Service (NWS), reporting on severe weather information. “Basically, we’re their eyes and ears,” Meyer said. “They can look at doppler, but they can’t definitively say you have a twister, and by the time it comes by and does its thing, it’s too late.”
Ham operators can use their equipment and training to share insights with the NWS and local officials regarding severe weather threats. This is especially important when cell towers malfunction and an emergency ensues. “If we’re needed, we’re always on call,” Williams said.
Hams offer assistance during national disasters, aiding emergency services, for as many hours or days as it takes. They offer communication support during floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and man-made events all while the power is down. A 17-year member of Brightleaf, Peter VanHouten noted, “That’s our reason for being, to be there in bad times.”
June 28, 2017
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