How does Amateur Radio Emergency Communications compare with other amateur radio activities?
• Uses basic skills and activites as a foundation Amateur radio operators will find that much of emergency communications borrows from existing aspects of the pasttime. For example, each operator is federally licensed after a period of study and examination on varying levels of technical, operating and regulatory knowledge. Each operator routinely uses that privilege to practice and build upon the ability to communicate via radio. One uses general operating practices to converse on repeaters and HF. NTS practice offers skill sets for passing formal traffic efficiently and accurately. Contesting emphasizes speed, listening skills and endurance. Field Day offers the chance to practice operating out of tents handling radios powered by generators. Public Service events lets us practice flexible communications practices while walking around serving a public event. These are some of the ways that regular amateur radio activities resemble skills used for emergency communications. • Extends up
