[FLham] Ham Radio Is Working

[Radioguy]

Allen Pitts, W1AGP
Media and Public Relations Manager
(860) 594-0328 apitts at arrl.org

What IS Working? Ham Radio!

Newington, CT Sept 2, 2005 -- Over 500 ham radio operators are providing 
emergency communications in the hurricane devastated areas while other 
systems are still being repaired.  Hundreds more are aiding right from 
their home by relaying messages to families around the country.  The 
Amateur Radio operators, often called "hams," are working in shelters, 
offices of emergency preparedness and many temporary locations being used 
in the disaster response.  Because of their communications work, hundreds 
of lives have been saved already.  Hundreds more ham volunteers are in 
neighboring states and ready to come in once emergency organizations are 
able to enter the affected areas.

In addition to providing emergency communications for various agencies, 
hams are aiding in informing the thousands of anxious families about people 
trapped in the area.  Hams have coordinated nation- wide to allow many 
victims to tell distant families about their status.

"I had just finished a routine call when a KD5 station called me asking if 
I could assist him.  He had survived the hurricane at a location near New 
Orleans and he wanted to get word to his daughters and wife that he was 
OK.  I made short phone calls to MN, FL, and LA to relay his message.  Less 
than an hour later I received a call from his daughter thanking me 
profusely for getting word to her that her father was OK.  She was 
impressed with ham radio!" - Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, in Connecticut.

According to Allen Pitts of the ARRL, the national association for Amateur 
Radio, "We are also working with many agencies to get information out from 
the area.  While no one yet has a system to find individuals still trapped, 
hams around the country have formed huge radio networks to provide relief."

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service activities of the ARRL are made 
possible because the hams do not depend on cell towers, phone switching 
centers, internet or other "choke points"which can be destroyed in a 
disaster.  Although the hams are very organized, each station can function 
fully independently in sending and receiving messages.

###