What is Ham Radio?

Officially called amateur radio, ham radio is a non-commercial mode of radiocommunication open to the general public to which licensed operators may radiotelephone and radioteletype messages over radio frequencies. Ham radio is operated by hobbyists interested in radio technology and communication, and it has nothing to do with commercial broadcasters or government communication systems. The “hams”, in order to connect to other Hams locally, nationally or even on the other side of the Globe use their equipment.

What sets ham radio apart is that it exists outside centralized infrastructure. It is not beholden to cell towers, internet connections or power grids — which makes it that much more resilient in places where those systems are down.

Why Traditional Communication Fails During Emergencies

This happens in natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and wildfires that wreak havoc on our traditional communication systems. Cell towers can get knocked over and power outages destroy internet connections (great) as well as make emergency call lines tie up. The pull-side outages are affecting rescue response, slower communication between first responding (to hinder coordination, briefly isolating the isolated)

For example:

• Hurricane Katrina (2005): The cell phone networks were dying as you read this, hundreds of thousands people were unable to call for help. Ham Radio operators picked up where the government left off with messages to emergency services.
• Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami /Japanese: Amateur radio operators were able to communicate crucial information during this event in Japan when all government network was wiped.
• The California wildfires (2018): Ham radio operators were sent out in droves to reconnect first responders to cities across which part of was Blackout Nation.

These examples showcase the importance of ham radio in connecting the communication lines during times of disasters.

What Ham Radio Can Do

Ham radio offers numerous benefits and functions during emergencies:

1. Communications in Remote Areas: Ham radio operates in a myriad of frequencies to get most where traditional channel would not reach. And this means essential in regions that are remote or during emergencies when infrastructure has been stripped.
2. Coordination of Emergency Services: The ham radio operators often work together with emergency responders to organize rescue operations. They can provide information on road conditions, the find of survivors and whether critical infrastructure is still operational. This real-time communication is essential to keeping people alive and well.
3. Communication Relay for Missing People: When people are stranded or partial methods of attaining old communications are stolen, ham radio operators could fill in as a middleman, conveying updates to family and emergency responders. If for nothing more extreme than a comfort to families and the assurance that help is on their way.
4. Disaster Preparedness Networks: Many amateur radio operators participate in organized nets, such as the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) or Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES). These groups run regular training exercises, so they are prepared in advance if disaster strikes.
5. Self-Sufficient Operation: Perhaps the best benefit of all is that ham radio can be used without needing to rely on outside power sources. Actually many operators use battery back-up, solar panels and generators for when the power goes down for a long time.

Commitment to Becoming a Ham Radio Operator

Passion, perseverance, and practice are key to becoming an effective ham radio operator. In a world of increasing natural disasters and other crises, the relevance of ham radio can never be understated. Whether you are a first responder, community leader, or simply wanting to be prepared, the advancement and support of amateur radio can be of great benefit.

This guide is part of our Guides and Tutorials series to help individuals understand and embrace the benefits of ham radio. And so the next time you hear a crackle on ham radio, take it in and remember: that noise streaming over the airwaves is not the words of a voice but a lifeline.