Operating an amateur – or “ham” – radio can be fun and lots of Americans do it as a hobby.
But ham radios also occupy a unique niche in the realm of communication, because they don’t rely in any way on the rest of society’s communication infrastructure. They’re not bound to satellites, wire lines, or the electronic “grid,” and therefore work just fine even if all those technologies are “down,” as can be (and has been) the case during natural or manmade disasters.
Once a year since the 1930s, the 24-hour National Amateur Radio Field Day has showcased ham radio’s capabilities all over the U.S. The event took place this year from 1 p.m. June 25 to 1 p.m. June 26, and members of the local Ozark Mountain Amateur Radio Club (OMARC) participated, gathering outside Pizza Express in Houston (owned by club member Richard Wood).
“It’s an American event, but there are people all over the world who will hear you and come back (answer),” said OMARC president Willie Adey.
Ham radio operates on specific frequency as mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (between 7.000 and 7.300 kilohertz). The FCC requires licensing, and there are different levels based on tests that gauge knowledge and experience. Licenses need to be renewed every 10 years.
Like any radio, a ham unit works off of electricity. But since it doesn’t rely on any other communication infrastructure, all that’s needed to use one is a source of electricity.
That used to mean a battery or a gas generator was necessary, which meant a radio would only work as long as a battery remained charged or gas was available (which can’t always be guaranteed in a disaster situation). But nowadays, the advent of solar power eliminates even those restrictions.
Club member Robert Simpson, of Licking, proved that on field day with his lightweight, flexible solar panel that rolls up into a small package like a rug or sleeping bag.
“It produces about 136 watts total,” Simpson said, “and the radio only draws about 100 watts when it’s transmitting.”
Simpson obtained his ham radio license in 1976 and quickly proceeded to have memorable experiences.
“The first contact I ever made was on a radio I built myself – a ‘Heath Kit,’” he said. “I tuned it up and listened around, and I heard somebody talking. They were in Oahu, Ore., and I was right here in Houston. I thought that was really cool.”
More than 725,000 people are licensed ham radio operators in the U.S., and about 35,000 typically participate in Field Day. The OMARC was founded in the early 1970s and has about 35 members who live in a radius of about 50 miles from Houston.
Adey joined in 1992 and has been its president almost ever since.
“When I first got started, I was listening on a maritime frequency and heard a ship way out on the ocean that was sinking, and they were calling for help,” he said. “Then another time, I heard another ship calling for help because a foreign country was taking over the ship. They were calling back to the United States to have someone get in touch with their families and tell them what was going on.”
Adey said a core group in the area checks in with each other almost every night at 8:30 p.m.
“They talk about their sons, daughters, parents and friends,” he said. It’s just like family.”
But ham radio operators also know they have the ability to offer a valuable service if necessary. Hams were integral in the hours immediately following the Joplin tornado.
“I hope it never happens around here,” Adey said, “but if the communications and electricity go down our group will be very active in helping out.”
The Ozark Amateur Radio Club meets at noon on the third Saturday of each month. For more information, call Adey at 573-674-2174.
Ham radios are not bound to satellites, wire lines, or the electronic “grid,” and therefore work just fine even if all those technologies are “down,” as can be (and has been) the case during natural or manmade disasters.