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.