Re: Ham Radio.
Two frequencies to listen to if you have a shortwave receiver. Both are SSB USB (Single Side Band Upper Side band).
14.325 US Weather Bureau, National Hurricane Center, in Miami. The Hurricane net (WX4NHC). This is a closed net. Meaning they will talk to only specific stations. These are stations providing measured weather data from the affected area. They give updates every 15 minutes or so. Very helpful if you want to know where the storm is and how powerful. The reports are usually from station directly in front of the hurricane or stations coming back on the air just after the hurricane passes.

14.235,SATURN. This is a net for health and welfare traffic. As Charlie hit shore, I tracked the damage reports. I heard stations just before and just after the hurricane passed thru their area. Excellent damage reports were provided. Folks outside the area that were concerned about family within the affected area could get first hand reports. In many cases I heard reports like “I am standing here with your grandfather and although his carport was blown away and the vehicle was damaged, he and his wife suffered no injury. They are being relocated to the high school for temporary shelter as there is no power or phones in this area.” For days, 24 hours a day, on this and many other nets, personalized health and welfare traffic flowed in and out of the affected area. They have a web site and will take inquiries on the web site and try to get information from the affected area. Check the frames area to the left of the page.

SATURN Health and Welfare Net.

There was much ham radio involvement during Charle and I have been trying to put together a posting about it. However my friends in Florida don't seem to have much time to chat at the moment. We have wintered in florida for the past several years and I have family and friends there. Ham Radio has really helped me keep track of the situation. More to follow..Look for a post later in the campfire section..