[Park] During a crisis, Ham Radio Operators are always there

[Douglas Foote]

>From a letter to the editor, Times News in Carbon County, from a member =
of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club I received from the CARC mail server.

I think it speaks for itself:


During crisis, Ham radio operators are always there

Dear Editor:

Your Thursday editorial was full of good advice, with one exception, =
advising people to make sure their cell phones are charged.

It's not bad advice, but it may lead people to believe they will be able =
to use their cell phone to call for help during a major storm/emergency.

If history continues to repeat itself, and we know it will, we should =
know that the communications infrastructure is as fragile as the power =
distribution infrastructure, and when the power system fails, it's only =
a matter of time before the landline, and cell phone systems fail.

But rest assured, there is a back up system in place, it's the Amateur =
Radio Emergency Service. Ham Radio Operators have been serving this =
country for nearly a century, providing this important service to the =
nation.

So, yes, go ahead and charge your cell phone batteries, and while you =
are waiting for them to charge, take a walk around your neighborhood.=20

Find the guy or gal that has an antenna tower in their backyard, or six =
antennas on the roof of his/her car, and get to know them. We can =
communicate with the rest of the world in the most adverse conditions =
imaginable. We train for it.

We can originate, and delivery messages across the country, free of =
charge, as a public service to our communities. In fact, it is our =
reason for being, as outlined in FCC. rules and regulations, and more =
recently, the Dept. of Homeland Security.

So, take the time to introduce yourself to your friendly local Ham Radio =
Operator, and learn what he/she can do for you, whether it's an =
emergency or not.

Darryl Gibson

Amateur Radio Station N2DIY.

Vice President, Tamaqua Wireless Association.

Secretary, Schuylkill Amateur Repeater Association

Secretary, Carbon (County) Amateur Radio Club.

201 E. Kline Ave., #6

Lansford, Pa. 18232

570-645-5364 anytime.




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