[Elecraft] OT: Public Service Radio

[Larry Makoski W2LJ]

Fellow Elecrafters,

Since Katrina unleashed her wrath upon the Gulf states; there has been a 
lot of discussion on this list and others about the value of Ham Radio 
and emergency communications.  This post is not intended to stir up any 
controversy or debate; it's purpose is, however, to get you to think.

We are ALL vulnerable to natural disaster, whether it be a hurricane on 
the south or east coasts.  Blizzards in the temperature appropriate 
areas of our country, earthquakes and brush fires out west; flooding in 
the Midwest; or a tornado just about anywhere.  When these things happen 
and devastation is widespread; your help is needed!  We are seeing that 
this week more than ever.

Please consider volunteering your time and talents.  There are many ways 
you can do this.  Hook up with your local Office of Emergency Management 
and see if there is a CERT program (Community Emergency Response Team) 
in your area.  If there is none; then maybe there's a ARES or RACES 
group in existence.  Where these do not exist contact your local branch 
of the Red Cross or Salvation Army as both of these organizations have 
"letters of understanding" with many local Ham radio Emcomm groups.

The point is that Ham Radio is as valid and valuable as it has ever 
been.  Maybe it's not done by Morse Code or maybe not even HF SSB 
anymore.  Maybe it will all be done in your area with VHF/UHF FM 
communications or packet. Maybe Amateur Radio  doesn't get the press 
that it deserves and maybe it's not as valued as it ought to be.  But 
when all is said and done with Katrina, the stories WILL come out.  You 
will hear instances of where communications systems failed and how 
Amateur Radio was the only way that rescues were performed, services 
delivered, families reunited.  The ARRL had a slogan on their T-shirts 
for Field Day a few years ago, "Amateur Radio - When All Else Fails".  
That has never been more true.

But all that said, YOUR help is needed.  Volunteer communicators are 
needed on a nationwide basis, starting with your own local communities.  
Get trained and be prepared.  The best side benefit gained is the 
knowledge that you will receive that will not only help keep your 
community safe; but your own family safe as well.  You folks who 
subscribe to this list and other QRP and Homebrew lists are among the 
most knowledgeable, brightest, most versatile, most adaptable, best 
trained Hams we have out there.  You build, test and repair equipment.  
You set up and operate stations from fields, forests, oceansides, 
backyards, parking lots and even from inside EOCs. You are an asset to 
this country and its communities.

For more information about CERT - please visit:  
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CERT/certfaq.asp

Thanks for the bandwidth; and for allowing me to go off topic for a bit.

73 de Larry W2LJ