[SMCARA] Hams

[Larry Norris]

Hams worked with the American Red Cross to bring vital communications to 
dozens of shelters in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
A couple of weeks ago, I spoke with David Sumner, the CEO of the American 
Radio Relay League (ARRL), which represents the amateur-radio community. 
Sumner was to be the keynote speaker at the Radio Club of America's annual 
awards banquet in New York City a couple of days later. Since it had been a 
while since I last spoke with him - far too long, really - I thought this 
would be a good time to catch up.
He told me that amateur radio was alive and well. This surprised me, though 
I don't really know why. I suppose it's because a lot of things that were 
popular in my youth - hula hoops, for instance - have fallen by the wayside 
in this era of technological one-upmanship that makes the Cold War arms 
proliferation look like a potato-sack race.
Sumner completely understood my reaction. "The perception is that we're 
stuck in the Sixties," he said. "But the number of licenses continues to 
grow. In fact, this is the sixth straight year of growth."
He attributed the increased popularity in part to the do-it-yourself 
movement that is sweeping the country - if you doubt this, then spend some 
time surfing your cable or satellite system's program guide. According to 
Sumner, DIY clubs are popping up from coast to coast. He told me of one in 
Washington, D.C., that operates in a church basement.
Members can access a wide variety of equipment and tools - the type of gear 
that is problematic to store if one dwells in a condo or apartment, as many 
D.C. denizens do - that can be used to build an even wider variety of 
things. A few members started to build ham radios just for kicks, and this 
led to the formation of an amateur radio club, Sumner said. He further 
predicted that more of these DIY clubs likely will be spawned as the 
reurbanization of America continues.
Periodically, we have written stories about the vital role that 
amateur-radio operators play in the aftermath of a major disaster, when 
commercial and public-safety communications infrastructure often is rendered 
inoperable. I recall that the hams were the only source of information for 
several days following the December 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami 
that killed 230,000 people and displaced 1.7 million more.
Sumner told me about the role that hams played in the aftermath of 
Superstorm Sandy. Though public-safety communications systems fared very 
well in the 10-state region impacted by the disaster, that didn't stop the 
amateur-radio operators from getting involved. They worked with the American 
Red Cross to establish communications at dozens of shelters that popped up 
across the affected area. For many victims, the hams were the only way that 
they could get word to family and friends that they had survived.
So, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank them for their service. 
Amateur-radio operators tend to do their thing in anonymity. But when it 
hits the fan, they are front and center, right where you need them. America 
is better for it.
Larry Norris
N3JTN  Ham
KAE-4617 GMRS
Leonardtown,Md
You can't have too many radios....