[KL7AA] Interesting article in Stars and Stripes

[Lloyd Fuller]

KL7JGN  LLOYD
kl7jgn at aol.com 

Subject: Interesting article in Stars and Stripes






Ham radios find place in high-tech world
y Jon Rabiroff 
tars and Stripes
ublished: March 27, 2011

ttp://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/korea/ham-radios-find-place-in-high-tech-world-1.139146

EOUL — Ham radios once played a key role in the operations of the U.S. military before 

ading into the background with the arrival of better and more accessible forms of 

ommunication like cell phones, the Internet and Skype.
But just when you start to think ham radios might go the way of rotary phones, 
-track tape players and phonographs, disaster strikes and the old war horses of 
ommunications fill a void in the response to emergencies.
Ham radio operators were widely credited with helping with emergency 
ommunications in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina. Sixteen 
ays ago when an earthquake and tsunamis devastated Japan, ham radio hobbyists 
nd their outdated technology once again got involved in reconnecting families 
nd guiding emergency aid where it was most needed.
"In the fairly early stages after the earthquake, several radio amateurs were 
ble to activate their stations with car batteries or small-engine generators," 
apan Amateur Radio League International Section Manager Ken Yamamoto said in an 
-mail to Stars and Stripes. "They transmitted rescue requests and information 
n the disaster situation, including refugee centers and their needs and/or the 
vailability of basic infrastructures, like electricity, water and gas 
upplies."
Yamamoto said information gathered from ham radio operators in the hardest hit 
reas of the country was "reported to the rescue and disaster relief 
rganizations for their appropriate deployment."
Radio equipment manufacturers distributed hundreds of transceivers for use at 
elief and refugee centers, he said, which "should help ... to facilitate smooth 
nd appropriate delivery of disaster-relief goods."
In some cases, ham radio operators also helped anxious people around the world 
ind out about the welfare of loved ones in Japan.
Trevor Jones of British Columbia, Canada, called embassies and checked social 
edia websites immediately after the earthquake, checking on the welfare of his 
on, Jonathon, but it was the ham radio of Jonathon's grandfather that played a 
ey role in reconnecting him with the 32-year-old English teacher in Sendai, 
ccording to the Montreal Gazette.
Advertisement"I think they've forgotten about ham radios," Trevor Jones is 
uoted in the Gazette. "If you went back to the time when I was 32 years old, 
hat was the only system that wouldn't break down."
Military connection
Ham radio may be a dying form of communication, but amateur-radio hobbyists 
on't want any static about their passion — one that appears to have a 
ignificant following among members of the U.S. military.
"I will be the first to admit that using ham radio to communicate is far from 
eing the most efficient means of communication," said U.S. Army Maj. Scott 
edberg, a ham-radio operator based at Camp Red Cloud in South Korea. "I think 
ou can best look at it like, `Why do people go horseback riding or ride bikes? 
sn't there a more efficient way to get from A to Z?'
"Sure, but it is the enjoyment of the journey that is the key."
There are still references in military regulations to ham radio use. For 
xample, U.S. Forces Korea regulations state that, "When directed, amateur radio 
perators will assist in providing communications for all types of disaster and 
ill work with various relief agencies as necessary."
However, Hedberg said, "Just based on the robust communications we have here 
oday ... I would think it would have to be fairly extreme circumstances, from a 
ilitary standpoint, that they would be coming to me for any sort of 
ssistance."
That has not stopped hobbyists — they number "in the hundreds" among active 
roops, Hedberg said — from spending their off hours spinning dials and 
onnecting worldwide with others with a passion for the technology and 
uaintness of ham radio conversations.
Richard A. Bartlett, the 90-year-old author of "The World of Ham Radio, 
901-1950: A Social History," said, "Morse code may be disappearing and hams 
eclining in numbers, but what of the innovators?
"I think the curious, highly intelligent radio gadgeteer deserves a viable place 
n our society, including the military. Ham radio, in its social aspects, 
rovides these bright, inquisitive people with contacts, rivalries, challenges 
nd, yes, friends with similar interests.
"It would be tragic for their wonderful hobby to disappear."
Still needed
For now, the hobby does not appear to be on its last legs: Today, there are an 
stimated 2 million ham radio enthusiasts around the world.
Hedberg explained there are a number of reasons people are still attracted to 
he ham radio hobby, despite the arrival of easier and more advanced forms of 
ommunication.
"Just the challenge involved," he said. "It takes a little bit to get everything 
et up right. There's a little bit of magic involved. Just being able to talk 
rom here back to the United States is pretty cool.
"Can I pick up a phone and do that? Sure I can," he continued. "It's a tougher 
ourney getting there, but I get a lot more satisfaction doing that."
Bartlett said, "Computers and the World Wide Web are wonderful, but dedicated 
ams are still necessary in times of disaster. They are the initial contacts in 
ases of natural disasters. Ham members of clubs contact ham members of other 
lubs. Club members spell their ham brothers during disasters when they are on 
he air 24 hours or more at a time. Their contributions are vital."
Hall said when disaster strikes, things like cell phones and Skype are not 
ecessarily going to work.
For a ham radio operator to connect to the world, he said, "All you need is a 
ar battery and a coat hanger, and you can `MacGyver' it."
Yamamoto said one of the lessons learned through the disaster in Japan is that, 
Radio amateurs should have periodic training for well-controlled and reliable 
isaster communications, even in chaotic situations.
"Amateur radio clubs should coordinate their roles in disaster situations with 
ocal rescue and disaster relief organizations, and emergency medical centers," 
e said.
Bartlett closed his book with a plea to readers to introduce their children to 
he world of ham radios.
"You will be doing not only your son or daughter a favor but, indirectly, the 
orld at large," he wrote.