When all else fails

From Megawiki

When a community disaster occurs, communications becomes the most important issue. The more severe the disaster the greater is the impact on communications. A 911 systems works well in normal situations; but when a disaster hits and 5000 local residents call 911 at the same time, they receive the same response, a busy signal. Cellular telephone systems normally handle about 15 percent of their customers at any one time and are equipped to deal with a maximum of 30 percent. But as the disaster intensifies, fewer cell towers remain available for use. With media and first responders use, the area’s cell system quickly becomes overloaded and totally unreliable. Most disasters wreaks havoc on telephone wires and poles; and if a Telephone Trunking terminal is struck most if not all the telephone service is out-of-service.

Amateur radio communications

There is only one reliable method of communication available during this type of emergency. It is Amateur Radio Communications. When a message absolutely must get through, only Ham Radio can guaranty delivery during an emergency event. The reason is simple. Amateur Radio as a hobby continually trains ham radio operators in a consistent and precise method of delivering information so it is actuate, understandable and concise.

Hams and their communication equipment are self contained. They use their radios on a daily basis. The fourth weekend every June, thousands of Amateur Radio Operators participate in a Field-Day exercise, a 24-hour continuous period of communicating with folks around the world, utilizing temporary locations, such as a farmer's field or vacant lot. The Hams erect antenna systems, and use batteries, solar power or generators to power their radios and computers.

Ham radio operators usually work in groups of 5 to 50 and view the event as a fun outing and try to best other radio clubs in the number of points gathered. The purpose is to contact as many folks as you can during the 24-hour period and exchange a few basic pieces of information. The number of contacts, plus the power and source used, and several other factors determine a group’s score. Tents are setup, antennas raised, radios are connected to power sources and communication is conducted by voice, Morse Code, digital modes, television.

Why use ham radio operators?

All of this assures that a diverse group of Amateur Radio folks and their equipment, scattered in all areas of their community, is ready and available to serve the communication needs of their community should the need arise. That is, however, if one’s community’s first responders and leadership knows of this group of communicators, how they function and how to quickly contact them during an emergency situation.

This can be accomplished by inviting the radio operators to participate and contribute in "Table-Top" and simulated community disaster exercises with community leaders and first responders. Each party shares their areas of expertise and limitation with each other, establishes methods of contacting one another and lays out general areas of responsibilities for their the initial response.

The radio operators will explain and demonstrate their use of, short range communication using local repeaters and FM hand held radios, amateur television, long distance communication – from several hundred miles to around the world, and Winlink 2000. The Winlink 2000 system is a diverse system utilizing several different methods of interface agencies and hams utilizing a normal email interface via Amateur Radio.

Winlink 2000

Winlink 2000 is a newer proven tool for great usefulness to first responders, and those agencies assisting in the disaster. Winlink 2000 (WL2K) can handle email messages with reasonable attachment size via Ham Radio from anywhere in a effected the disaster zone. The destination can be any station on the Winlink 2000 system or a normal Internet email outside of the effected area for all needed in and outbound data traffic. This allows message traffic to be delivered in under a matter of minutes, utilizing agencies forms. Several stations can be setup at fixed and portable locations.

The Racine County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (RCARES) has built several self-powered, self-contained portable WL2K digital stations in a normal size toolbox. The toolbox contains a gel-cell battery for all the needed power, a two-way Ham radio, a radio modem (TNC) that allows the e-mail to be sent over the airwaves, a laptop computer, and an antenna. A scanner/printer, powered off the same gel cell battery completes the very portable station that can be setup anywhere, and provide nearly instant contact via email gateway to the world!

Public Information Officer
Racine County Amateur Radio Emergency Service