Amateur Radio
Ever since Marconi tinkered with wireless transmissions in the early
1900’s, people have been fascinated with communicating via the
airwaves. Today there are over 700,000 amateur radio licenses issued to
private individuals in the U.S. In Coos County alone there are
approximately 300 license holders. Granted not all of those are active,
some haven’t touched their radio in years and some are simply no longer
with us.
Amateur
radio operators (also known as “hams”) have played a vital role in
disaster response for decades. Groups such as A.R.E.S (Amateur Radio
Emergency Services) and R.A.C.E.S. (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service) are well established and have good working relationships with
other local disaster planners. In Bandon alone there are ham radio
stations set up at Southern Coos Hospital, the City Hall and the Fire
Department. In the event of an emergency this equipment is designed to
operate free from the electrical grid and would be manned by personnel
from A.R.E.S/R.A.C.E.S. Emergency communications networks can keep the
local responders informed of developing events, while having the
capability of communicating on a global basis. Other cities have
similar setups with their amateur radio folks.
One
might think with internet technology such as Skype or Facetime, making
video calls to loved ones all over the planet, that amateur radio would
be relegated to the dustbin of “last millenium technology”. Quite the
opposite is true. Over the past five years the Federal Communication
Commission reports issuing nearly 25,000 new licenses. Digital radio
equipment is less expensive and more powerful than ever before. When an
earthquake or similar event could sever fiber optic cables and bring
down electrical grids, a battery powered ham radio can still transmit
and receive vital messages throughout the county and around the world.
Even to outer space.
During my time in Viet Nam, every G.I. knew if he wanted to call home,
he would simply go to the local M.A.R.S. (Military Amateur Radio
Station). The M.A.R.S folks would make ham radio contact with another
ham operator in the States, who would in-turn initiate a collect call to
your home then do a “phone-patch” and presto, you could talk to your
loved one. Of course half the planet could listen in on your call and
after every phrase you had so say “over” so they would know when to key
or release the microphone, but it was a touch from home. Those calls
were considered invaluable to preserve the sanity of our guys half a
world away living in unspeakable conditions. So on behalf of a
multitude of Viet Nam Veterans, I’d like to extend thanks to all those
amateur radio operators we never got to meet or thank in person.
As always, send your questions, comments or ham radio stories to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.
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