The Importance of HAM Radio During a Storm

With Hurricane Florence heading to the coast, communications could become an issue between emergency personnel. HAM, or amateur radio, is used when nothing else will work.
S.C. Emergency Management Director, Kim Stenson said, "Amateur radio, ham radio, is extremely important to emergency management, not just here but in every state in the US. It’s a form of communication that may work, or will work, when all the other systems are down and it’s proved that in numerous disasters here recently."
And if there are issues during Florence, the operators, who are volunteers, will be ready to assist.
But what about the future of this communication? In the era of smart phones is the next generation interested in amateur radio? At Schofield Middle School in Aiken, they’re ready to be the next generation of communicators and hope to be a resource in emergency situations. And they’re winning national awards while they are doing it.
For more information on amateur radio, visit the following links:
scheart.us/
ares-sc.org/

[@drakewulser8976]

I'm 18 and got my technician license at the beginning of this month

[@jacobkelly8936]

Drake Wulser Great job man! Welcome to the hobby! It’s very fun and intricate. I am 18 as well, and I just passed my Extra exam last weekend. This hobby needs more young guys like us. Otherwise, there won’t be much people to talk to or be there to transfer information during events and emergencies! Congrats on the ticket! 73.

[@drnv150]

It's been a great hobby for over thirty years, always something new to learn.

[@pilot7200able]

Thank you for being ready to respond to our safety and help in emergency situations!

[@claudemcdaris6306]

Love Amateur radio, I am a ten year Veteran, US Army signal corps 31m20.

[@safetyfops911]

As a ham radio techican. And skywarn member! In event disasters! Ema/ares/races/fd/ems/pd all work together. We are sometimes the eyes n ears for disaster recovery n even responders! I bileve ham radio is still important. If cell phones or etc go down! We can point to point relay! Between CERT/Ares I learned comms is the vital key to communicating though agency's and command post alike! Tho people bash on ham radio. But In honesty! We got your back! This is something that will never out date in my opinion!

[@George_S.G]

Great video , i hope more people put more attention on this way of communication .

[@Nyhetskanaler]

Great video

[@gfinnstrom]

great video well done from KB7PPW Arizona

[@wa9neu]

I agree well done.... wa9neu Illinois

[@nativetexan9776]

All the best!

[@mark6831]

Great job what you guys are doing from k2csx Bronx New York or so K2CSX Conway South Carolina

[@GANAPATIIIII]

That school project/ club is awsome wow// from kd7cwb cheers// thats cool.

[@billmcroberts6566]

Excellent video, 73s, N4UQY

[@kellyjordan1535]

I've had Shortwave radios and ham radios all my life. I have a current license. I have yet to ever make a single contact. I love to listen but never felt the urge to push the button. If needed in an emergency I am capable, in the mean time I just listen.

[@prepperdan]

Hopefully everyone is EMP prepared with their equipment

[@jelletje8]

On 23 July 2012, a "Carrington-class" solar superstorm (solar EMP) was observed, but its trajectory narrowly missed Earth.

[@BennyCFD]

In this day and age of robust public service communications, Cell towers on wheels etc Ham radio is becoming less relevant in disasters. Still a great hobby AF6TP

[@drnv150]

I talked with South Africa, Kuwait, on HF / 40 meters,from my truck not long ago, when the band conditions were not supposed to be all that great, both stations were strong, with no need for issues like "packet loss," from a network. New digital linked modes are available, but are heavily dependent on a high speed connection at the repeater or an individual hotspot to communicate out of a County or region. New digital and old analog radio have their place.

[@t3fLoN77]

I couldn’t disagree with you more. Real RF (not digital/linked etc) is the most relevant means of communications, PARTICULARLY in a disaster, regardless of whatever newfangled public service exists. I agree, mobile cell towers are cool, if they show up (and don’t get overloaded). When we’re in the desert, 9 times out of 10 we’re not even off the main road before we get No Service on cellular, yet RF works like a charm. I know your point is in regards to disasters and my counter point is, your opinion might change when you’ve got No Service. I’ve been there before, many times, even in non-disastrous situations, and it sucks. Large sale outage may never happen in your area, who knows. But if it does, my guess is your radios will be one of the first things you turn on. -73-

[@28ebdh3udnav]

Ham radios and CB radios are still revelent even when there's no disaster. For example, back in like 2010 or 2012, people who were on a specific cell phone carrier lost all connections for several days because of a region wide update.

[@JessicaBelcher]

interesting

[@lifeisamatrix5960]

It's good but like my area they all run dmr and many use encryption which you're not suppose to. Kind of makes no help in situations like this.

But there isn't just DMR. The HF is worldwide, even in qrp :) 73

[@sandraabarca6029]

With all the natural disasters that plague our country , especially those that have been hit ,HOAs should ... NO Must ! Revise their Rules for Amateurs operators.your neighbors will help you! .the benefits outweigh the negatives.😔

[@mikemcdonald5147]

www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/The%20Amateur%20Radio%20Parity%20Act%20FAQ.pdf. Did the Amateur Radio Parity Act ever pass? if so then you are allowed to put up ham antennas in an HOA. The HOA may not be aware of this.

[@Calico74]

What about NOAA or other weather radios?

[@certinstructorron4050]

I stress the importance of being a ham in my classes and videos.

[@aaronsantiago8870]

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR PERMISSION TO POST THIS VIDEO ON MY FB

[@dorianoagriolas340]

73.

[@navishshetty007]

Randi fcrit