[ARRL-OK] A letter to the editor

[Mark D. Conklin N7XYO]

A Letter to the editor, Tulsa World and my reply below.

73 Mark Conklin N7XYO



> Where are the Hams?
> Staff Reports
> 10/22/2005
> Tulsa World (Final Home Edition), Page A14 of Opinion
>
> I have read a number of articles, editorials and have noticed mention on TV
> TV about the lack of communication during periods of crisis like the recent
> hurricanes that result in power losses. Before moving to Tulsa from
Nevada I
> was active in volunteer emergency radio work.
> I still have my Federal Communication Commission-issued license that is
> current for another two years. I am 81 years old and am no longer active,
> but I am at a loss to find any mention of Ham operators being active
> during emergencies.
>
> We were trained, organized and ready to go to assigned locations and be
> ready to assist the local fire, police and any other service with
> communication needs. We had battery powered equipment, our own repeaters
for
> maximum range. What happened to the Hams? I sure would like to know why
they
> are no longer active.
>
> John Hogan, Tulsa

Reply:

In a letter written to the Tulsa World (published 10/22/2005) by John Hogan
of Tulsa, asked the question: Where are the Hams?

Hogan was referencing the communication break down in the gulf region after
numerous hurricanes this year. I'll answer his question: We were there, and
many still are.

More than 1,000 Amateur Radio operators (commonly referred to as HAMs)
responded to this communication emergency working with local ARES groups
(Amateur Radio Emergency Service). National media outlets did cover the
story to some extent (The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Christian
Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News Channel, National Public
Radio, all 26 newspapers for New House Newspapers, and many local papers
picked up wire stores from the AP). Tulsa television stations KTUL-8,
KOTV-6, KJRH-2 and KOKI-23 ran stories about the more than 80 local amateur
operators who volunteered their time, equipment, and talents to respond the
disaster response here in Tulsa and at Camp Gruber where about 1,500 people
evacuated from the hurricane-destroyed areas were housed for and cared for.
HAMs assisted 24/7 with the emergency communication needs at Camp Gruber for
more than a week during the initial emergency at the Camp. HAMs also
maintained 24-hour operations at the Tulsa chapter of the American Red Cross
Emergency Operations Center during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Your letter mentioned you were not an active amateur radio operator in the
area. Being inactive and out of the loop, you did not hear the call for HAMs
to volunteer for emergency communications needs broadcast on a regular basis
for more than a week on all the local repeaters. And because you are not
active in a local amateur radio organization, you did not receive an
e-mail and/or a telephone call by volunteers asking for your help. But
those requests for help were out there and they were answered by
Tulsa-area HAMS as well as HAMs from around the state.

Rest assured amateur radio operators are here and we volunteer in many ways
to serve our local communities, our states, and our nation. With this latest
hurricane and the flooding in the east, amateur radio is once again
responding to any communication emergency.

In Oklahoma ARES works in partnership with many emergency managers and
planners around the state. In Tulsa, amateur radio is part of the
City/County's emergency plan; in the Tulsa area, all of the major hospitals
have amateur radio systems in place for local HAMs to operate in an
emergency when a quick and reliable form of communication is required. For
more information on local activities there two locally active clubs both
with great websites www.tulsahamradio.org or www.w5ias.com. Want more
information check out the ARRL the National Association for Amateur Radio
www.ARRL.org or call 1-800-32-NEW HAM.

Amateur Radio was and is there. Just like the truck driver that delivers ice
and water after a disaster, it's an important yet un-glamorous and
frequently unpublicized job. Amateur radio works in the background doing the
job as needed filling the communication void where ever it occurs. Remember,
when all else fails. Amateur Radio Works!

Mark Conklin, N7XYO
President
Tulsa Repeater Assoc.
And
Public Coordinator
ARRL Oklahoma