When Hurricane Irma hit Florida, it brought with it the most amount of damage to be seen in decades. During the time the Hurricane was directly in their path, many radio stations were down for several days, leaving many people without access to critical information. The importance of HAM radio during a storm can’t be denied. If you don’t already own a HAM radio, you may want to consider getting one. The ability to get important information when others can’t is the biggest reason as to why you should invest in a HAM radio. It doesn’t matter if it’s a hurricane, flood or any other kind of emergency, having access to important information from official sources could make a huge difference in how you handle an emergency.You may want to visit a nearby ham radio shop to check if they stock HAM radios and accessories
Pros of HAM Radio During a Storm
1.) Well-Established: HAM Radio is well established with networks that are used on a regular basis.The first responders and emergency management agencies are very limited during a storm. They rely on HAM Radio operators to communicate.
HAM Radio operators use a technology called radio repeaters. These repeaters are placed strategically in key locations so that all of the Ham operators can talk to each other. The repeaters have a thousand mile range and can be either on the ground or in groupings of towers that are on top of hills.
2.) Reliable: HAM Radio uses the same frequencies as commercial radio so even when commercial radio is down, HAM Radio can still be used. While social media is great, it will not always be reliable during a storm. The FCC recommends that during a storm, you first rely on your battery-powered radio for updated emergency information and then turn to television and radio once commercial power is restored. HAM Radio can also provide vital emergency communications when other utilities are down, such as during a blizzard. The Low Power Auxiliary stations in California are a great example of this, where they helped rescue people during the devastating Northridge earthquake and fires.
3.) Widely Used: There are nearly 600,000 HAM Radio operators in the United States alone.
4.) Emergency Preparedness: A severe weather warning has been issued and you have just a few minutes to decide whether you should head to a local shelter. If you choose to stay, then you need to know your options. Do you have what it takes to survive? You won’t be alone, but it is up to you to decide how best to use the information available. If you have a HAM Radio, then you can tap into the emergency system that is operational even if other communication systems fail.
There are many ways that a HAM Radio can be used in an emergency situation — from reporting weather conditions and traffic conditions, to relaying life-saving messages between local and federal agencies. For instance, if your area is hit by a tornado or hurricane and telephone or Internet service is unavailable, HAM Radio operators can provide important information to assist first responders and other emergency personnel.
Cons of HAM Radio During a Storm
1.) Communications: You do have to have some training to use it to its fullest.
2.) Range: It’s not as powerful as other methods of communication like cell phones or the internet.
Final words
HAM Radio operators are extremely important in times of disaster when cell towers, power grids and other communication systems fail.The most important thing you need to have is a HAM radio, if you have a HAM radio then you can talk to people as far away as Florida in the south and the Canadian border in the north, during major hurricanes people take to their HAM radios like we text and use cell phones now.
