I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but there's been no mention at all of Ham radio in regard to the disaster in Florida. Not even the ARRL.ORG site makes so much as a mention of it, and I've deep-searched the news using Google News Search, Yahoo News Search and found only ONE news article that even mentioned ham radio operators in the context of the hurricane and aftermath, and the link to that article in the Sun-Herald seems to be dead.

Is it possible that ham radio has quietly become irrelevant to the emergency operations plans of municipalities? I know for a fact that we've had a few large-scale emergencies where I live and not once did anyone at the command center propose bring in the ham radio operators, and even though I have a license and even carry a portable most of the time, my concern is that I'm just carrying extra weight.

Does anyone have any news of actual ham radio activities down in Charlotte county in support of emergency operations?

I'm sure they have been activated using handheld and mobile xcvrs .The hurricane watch net was activated before the storm hit ARES is very much alive in the US. And yes it does matter in an emergency.

73's
AC7KT
Lee

Martin:

I would like to say HAM has a place in emergencies, but I have seen things lately to the contrary.

One of our biggest problems here is the local Chief of Police who steadfastly believes the HAM club here is a bunch of Johnny do Gooders! Never mind the fact one of his very own (a Sgt.) officers is the club president.

A lot of HAMS in this "RACES" group consistently show up in a pair of old sweatpants and a white t-shirt with a radio microphone (AKA lapel mic) clipped to the neck collar. These folks want to be taken seriously, but their attitude and demeanor suggest otherwise. Ask yourself this question?

Would you want someone dressed like this in your EOC? Most of the HAMS I know are decent people, but they act and dress the complete opposite.

I too carry a small ICOM 2M/70cm radio (IC 24-AT) HT radio with me while ?on-duty? with the ambulance. Sometimes, I feel like I am carrying dead weight as well, but I keep doing it in case it is needed and it really doesn?t weigh that much hiding out in my briefcase. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Take care,

Stargazer

ASAP = Always Suspicious, Always Prepared

Lee:

Since you are in Utah do you use the Intermountain Intertie network?

Stargazer

ASAP = Always Suspicious, Always Prepared

arrl article - there is a link on their front page

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/08/13/7/?nc=1

In all honesty, Ham bands were pretty quiet during and right after the storm.

They're picking up more and more after the storm.

Are they important? You bet, when telephone, cell, and internet is down, what else is there? <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

In fact I just got an email from the league - they are looking for folks to move traffic out of that part of Florida right now - it seems that there is NO phone (land or cell) in that area, and FEMA has all the Satphones tied up

I just spent $300 on a Kenwood F6A and am working on a tech license so I sure hope they aren't "on their way out". I got mine mostly so I would have a means to communicate after a personal emergency (broken leg, etc) when hiking in the far off places of the world where it is hard to even get a decent analog cell signal, but it would also be nice to be able to help out others in times of major disaster such as hurricanes. I'm still researching this so correct me if I'm wrong but the way I understand it even in the most remote areas where a repeater isn't available, if I know the satellite rotation schedules I can dial up a satellite for emergency comms if needed. That in itself make the HT HAMs second to none except maybe a satellite phone. With the F6A its also very nice to have AM/FM radio and NOAA Radio in the same small lightweight package. I carry and extra battery pack for specifically that purpose. On a side note I'm looking at various specs for building a lightweight antenna with major antenna gain so if anyone has any brilliant ideas I would love to hear them.

Maybe HAMS aren't making the front pages, but I'm still glad you guys, and the folks like you, are out there.

It's probably like knowing CPR: you may never need it, but....

'Pup

I am not a ham, nor do I play one on TV, but here is a website you may wish to peruse

http://www.cebik.com/radio.html

A number of antenna designs. You are primarily looking at a yaggi (high gain, very directional). Mhams in the local clubs will know way more than this.

Bill

Lots of good info there. Thanks!

Intertie network? whats that never heard of it?. We have linked repeaters in the state and repeaters that are for ARES use when desasters strike.

Lee

Lee:

Sorry about not giving you a link. Here is the website.
http://www.ussc.com/~uvhfs/snowlink.html
I see it is also called the "snowbird net!" Hope this helps.

Take care,

Stargazer

ASAP = Always Suspicious, Always Prepared

I like to think hams do make a difference. Following Charley hitting the SW coast of Florida Friday night, the West Palm Beach Amateur Radio Club and ARES members had organized a convoy of people and equipment to go to Charlotte County Saturday morning.

They set up emergency repeaters and aid stations to assist in emergency communications and getting what we call "health and welfare messages" to relatives who were worried about their loved ones. This effort continues as it may be some time before Charlotte County gets any simblance of a communications network back.

In a distaster, such as Charley, there will be no electricity, no landline phone service, and what some don't expect, NO CELLPHONE SERVICE. I have seen pictures sent back from the hams on site of various cell towers and they all sustained damage -- moderate to severe.

If anyone is intested, it seems that of the major carriers, NEXTEL held up the best having coverage via their direct connect feature over the better part of the area.

An amateur radio for the most part does not depend on outside resources. Volunteers will be on the way shortly and will be monitoring the frequencies for calls for help. An amateur radio may be the only means of commuication available to you for several hours, or even days after the storm.

Here are some photographs taken by amateur radio operators on scene in Punta Gorda.

Hurricane Charley Pictures .

Anyone interested in in getting involved in amateur radio should contact their local radio club or repeater group or visit the American Radio Relay League .

Best wishes.

Craig.

Yes, I've noticed a lack of coverage of amateur radio, and coverage in general. It's almost like "oh, this was a really bad storm". The whole no electricity is a big thing in central florida. Funny people complaining like its their right to have electricity "Oh my, its so hot". Yeah, this is Florida. I really don't know how bad it is, because here in Brevard (think Cape canaveral) only the northern part of our county got hit, and I haven't gone sightseeing. One thing that would make me happy with the news if they would latch onto the real ability to get people prepared for next time. Perhaps they can start telling people to be prepared the next time. (I'm going to go send out a few emails on this.). There is plenty someone can do ahead of time, and doesn't take that much money.

On the note of ARES, Brevard County's BEARS (Brevard Emergency Amateur Radio Services) has sent their COMM 3 vehicle over, and this weekend I will be going along on our COMM2 vehicle for an expected 3 day deployment. We are scheduled to go to Charlotte County, the hardest hit. This area is still a "disaster" area, but things are getting somewhat back to normal.

I'll let everyone here know my experience, and things I did do, or would do differently next time. I don't have much experience on going camping, and that is what this is going to be. I have to take my own water, toiletries, and food, just in case. 4 days worth. I'll see how this works out. Of course, you'll all have to wait to hear my story after I get back. If you want to send a message to me there, maybe you can try the NTS and _maybe_ I'll get it (Our BEARS unit operates under the K4EOC callsign). I have no idea how this is all going to work out.

Well, it wasn't as bad as I thought. We were lucky enough to have air conditioning and showers. So, the only things I would do differently next time is have flip-flops for the showers. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Other than that, I can't think of much.

In the days immediately following amateur radio, the law enforcement officers I spoke too said we really did provide a valuable service. The trunked radio system was out because of damage to the equipment (from what I understand the towers didn't fall). Their EOC was heavily damaged, and was evacuated for a short time. 911 service is intermittent. Otherwise, it seems like a very well orchestrated response by amateurs.