“Ham” radios are almost like insurance policies. In the event of an emergency, they’re there if you need them.
As amateur – or ham – radio operators like to point out, their equipment isn’t dependent on society’s standard communication infrastructure. They’re not bound to satellites, wire lines or the electronic “grid,” and can therefore continue to operate even if all those technologies are “down.”
And about the only time they might be down is when communication might be needed most: During natural or manmade disasters.
Each year, amateur radio operators around the U.S. showcase ham radio’s capabilities by conducting public demonstrations during the 24-hour “National Amateur Radio Field Day.” Members of the local Ozark Mountain Amateur Radio Club (OMARC) took part in the 2018 Field Day last Saturday, gathering outside Pizza Express in Houston (owned by club member Richard Wood).
“This is so important,” said club president Willy Adey. “If all the phone lines and even the Internet were to go down, you can still bring in amateur radio. We can communicate all over the country and all over the world without anything else hooked up – not even AC power.
“You hope you never have to use it, but our club has several people qualified to come in and set up emergency communications.”
Like any radio, a ham unit needs electricity to run. But that power source doesn’t have to come from “the grid,” but could come from an independent source like a gas generator or solar panel.
OMARC member and Houston resident Robert Simpson has a lightweight, flexible solar panel that rolls up into a small package like a rug or sleeping bag. It produces about 136 watts and Simpson’s radio draws about 100 watts when transmitting.
Amateur radio was an integral part of the immediate aftermath of the Hurricane Maria disaster last September in Puerto Rico.
“There were 50 who were sent over there,” Adey said, “and they were the main communication for the Red Cross, hospitals and about everyone else for quite a while.”
“We’re a resource,” Simpson said, “and we’re actually very resourceful. They set up over there a lot quicker than the military could.”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires licensing to become a ham operator, and more than 725,000 people in the U.S. are licensed.
The OMARC was founded in the early 1970s, and Adey said there are currently about 30 members, hailing mostly from six area counties.
The club meets at Pizza Express at noon on the third Saturday of each month. For more information, call Adey at 573-674-2174.
“You hope you never have to use it, but our club has several people qualified to come in and set up emergency communications.”
OZARK MOUNTAIN AMATEUR RADIO CLUB PRESIDENT WILLY ADEY