In an emergency situation — natural or manmade — the only means of communication may be the expertise and interconnectivity of the HAM radio operators. That became painfully clear to residents in Louisiana and Mississippi during the 2005 hurricane season.
On June 24 members of the Alexandria Radio Club polished that expertise with a “Field Day” on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. From their mobile, fully equipped trailer and self assembled transmission antenna they opened up lines of communications with their counterparts across the nation.
“This trailer enables use to work several stations and stay out of the weather,” said Rick Bunn, a member of the club. He explained that just prior to commencing Field Day operations the three antenna on the hillside and in the Memorial parking lot were just aluminum poles and wire in a box.
“We assembled them and wired them down. Based on their positioning we are able to talk to others as far away as California,” he said.
More than 700,000 US radio operators are licensed by the Federal Communications Commissions nationwide. Globally that number jumps to more than 25 million. There are 252 amateur radio operators in the City of Alexandria.
However, Bunn was very clear, “Amateur radio is not Citizen’s Band radio often used by long distance truck drivers. They have their lingo and we have ours.”
Over the past year there have been numerous reports of HAM operators providing critical communications when no other medium was operating. That has applied to situations worldwide.
Activities by the Alexandria club on June 24 and 25 was a demonstration of their emergency communications abilities. It covered from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday. It was the climax of “Amateur Radio Week,” sponsored by the National Association for Amateur Radio.
Using only generators, batteries or solar power, the HAMS construct emergency stations to test their skills under all conditions, according to Deanna Lutz, president, Alexandria Radio Club. “The slogan “HAM radio works when other systems don’t” is more than just words,” she said.
Field Day proves HAMS can send and receive messages in many forms without phone systems, internet or any other infrastructure of modern society. All those can be compromised in a crisis, according to Bunn.
“It may be called “Amateur Radio” because we are unpaid but that doesn’t mean we are not prepared,” Lutz said. That was proven by Art Pond, another member of the local club, who volunteered his time and expertise in Louisiana after Katrina.
Through their national association, “HAMS provide emergency communications for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Citizens ‘Corps, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA, and myriad state and local agencies. The Alexandria club participated in providing emergency services on 9/11 at The Pentagon, according to Bunn.
Founded in 1954, Alexandria’s club services the City during emergencies. They also provide radio and digital communications support for the George Washington Birthday Parade and the Marine Corps Marathon.
Last year the club purchased a new 12 foot enclosed trailer. With public donations and membership labor, the trailer is now available as a mobile communications center. It was the central element of Field Day.
To learn more about amateur radio contact Ian Keith at N8IK@ARRL.NET or go to www.ARRL.ORG/NEWHAM or www.W4HFH.ORG. Lutz can be reached at 301-282-3988.