Tribute to Amateur (Ham) Radio Operators (Part 2)

Until I did additional research on amateur radio operators, I was unaware of the amateur's role in providing communication during emergencies, disaster relief, ground weather reporting, and providing a communication link to government and military agencies.  All of the Ham's services in these situations are purely voluntary; without compensation.

One of the programs that ham's are involved in is SKYWARN.  Volunteers are trained in ground level weather reporting.  This information is relayed to the National Weather Service were these alerts are reported over the internet.  I thought that radar and satellite provides all the information necessary for weather reporting, but apparently ground level reports are still important as a means of tracking storms and damage.  The ham can report hail, rainfall, flooding, winds, tornados, tree damage, and power outages.  These are localized reports that cannot be determined from weather radar and satellite images.

Ham operators played an enormous role in communications during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  They tie together communications between local rescue, Red Cross, FEMA, and Emergency Traffic.  Through an emergency network called SATERN, (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network), many people were rescued in the aftermath of the storm.  This network of ham operators are charged with finding lost people during times of disaster.  Several stories of rescue can be found here.  They also provide tactical communication in supplying food and supplies to disaster areas.

More recently hams acted quickly during the Haiti earthquake.  They helped report the damage and set up communication links when cell towers were down and wireless service was overwhelmed.  They also provided equipment to aid in the continuing communications in the area.

Ham operators can also work with military communications through the MARS, (Military Affiliate Radio System).  This is an emergency communication network sponsored by the Department of Defense.

A BIG thanks to all those ham operators who provide their services!