What do Amateur Radio operators (“hams”) do during and after disasters?
Amateur Radio operators set up and operate organized communication networks locally for governmental and emergency officials, as well as non-commercial communication for private citizens affected by the disaster. Hams are most likely to be active after disasters that damage regular lines of communication, i.e. power outages and destruction of telephone lines. How do Amateur Radio operators help local officials? Many hams are active as communications volunteers with local public safety organizations. In addition, in some disasters, radio frequencies are not coordinated among relief officials, and hams step in to coordinate communication when radio towers and other elements in the communications infrastructure are damaged. What are the major Amateur Radio emergency organizations? Amateur Radio operators have informal and formal groups to coordinate communication during emergencies. At the local level, hams may participate in local emergency organizations, or organize local “traffic nets”
