Ham Radio: A Valuable News Source Especially During Emergencies
[December 2024] “News” is sometimes hard to evaluate these days, as opinion and political biases can definitely cloud up issues – not to forget how social media seems to be a source for large numbers of people. But, just as there are still some respected news reporters working hard to get information out when disasters and emergencies occur, another group often provides critical and timely information. Mike Langner explains.
Between Summer wildfires, floods, and Winter hazardous weather, many stations regularly report on local disasters.
However, one easily accessed source of “from the scene” news when these disasters strike is often overlooked.
WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, INFORMATION IS A HARD TO GET
During the recent hurricane that ran through the South and especially hit western North Carolina hard, many traditional news services were just unavailable.
It was not merely power outages in places where auxiliary generators were not ready to operate, the power grid, the roads, and virtually all the infrastructure was destroyed. Entire radio stations were shown in video as the flood carried off the studio and transmitter. Mud slides and other damage literally wiped out entire towns. Nothing was left.
Of course, most people would think to turn to the Internet via computer or cell phones to get news and information on the extent of damage, and how and where to get help. But without power, the Internet was just a memory. And most cell sites were knocked out of service as their batteries ran out.
For many emergency services, much of the area was a black hole, accessible only by helicopter.
And yet, there was a source of contact, news, and information that did reach the outside world.
A VALUABLE NEWS SOURCE IN TIMES OF DISASTER
It was the Amateur Radio folks who were heard and helped direct the triage and other assistance for days.
This was important because, in the first days, not only was information hard to come by in many areas, but resources to aid survivors were severely limited, and it was critical to reach those in greatest danger as soon as possible.
Fortunately for many, Hams, as often called, volunteered whatever means they had to reach out and pass the word along to first responders and broadcasters. Some departments and radio stations kept the facilities manned 24/7. As area communications were slowly restored, the value of the ham community was evident and appreciated by almost everyone.
A short video highlighting this can be found here.
MORE THAN ONE TIME
Do not think that ham operators are important only when the rogue hurricane blows through.
Every year hikers and hunters get loss in wilderness areas where there is no cell phone coverage. Fortunately, these days, with modern ham radio facilities, including radio relay facilities atop tall towers or mountaintops it is hard to find a square foot of America where ham radio does not provide clear communication, and every year we see stories of lost hikers and hunters found by search and rescue organizations that rely on ham radio communications.
And it is hard to beat the value to society of these volunteers that give a lot, and ask little.
Before Albuquerque, NM, got relief from periodic summer flooding with the construction of several flood diversion channels, parts of downtown Albuquerque would regularly flood – usually with less than a foot of water, but on one particular occasion, the threat from an unusual cluster of thunderstorms brought several feet of water into homes and stores. In addition, an earthen dam, the Embudo Dam in northeast Albuquerque was threatened with being overtopped by the unusual height of the water behind it.
If the dam had been breached, the downtown flooding would have been much worse, so public safety agencies needed up-to-the-minute information on whether the dam was holding or was about to fail. A dozen or so of us ham radio operators with mobile and/or portable radio facilities assisted rescuers that night, leaving the police and fire department dispatchers and their radios free for emergency communications.
My role was to report on the condition of the earthen dam every 15 minutes. I parked my car atop the dam and radioed in water height every fifteen minutes throughout the night. Thankfully the dam held, and a further disaster was averted. Needless to say, one of the disasters averted was what would have happened to me and my ham radio equipped car parked atop the earthen dam should the dam have actually failed!
In retrospect, it was a great public service, and an indication of how a very young, then teenage ham radio operator, served the public without thinking of his own safety.
WHO ARE THE HAMS? WHAT CAN THEY DO?
The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) actually includes Amateur Radio in its guide for national emergency preparedness.
The FEMA recognizes that Amateur Radio operators, those folks with radios we often call hams, often have detailed knowledge of the areas where they are located, and often have backup power and vital communications in areas where regular telephone, cell phone, and other normal communications links fail. They are found all over the country. One such group has been active for years in San Francisco.
FCC Rules in 47CFR97 specifically state that your broadcast station can tune-in Amateur Radio communications and use any information you hear, including recording the actual information being communicated by Amateur Radio stations serving disaster areas.
This is unlike nearly all other communications services – most communications services are protected by the Communications Act from anyone “intercepting and divulging” communications they hear.
WHAT YOU CAN USE – WHAT YOU CANNOT
There is a caveat: Per FCC 97.113(b), ham operators cannot actively participate in news gathering.
So, no, you cannot use Amateur Radio actively to gather news, but you can passively tune in Amateur Radio stations and use whatever you hear hams talking about.
Additionally, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the nation’s foremost association of Amateur Radio operators, proclaims on its web site that “Amateur Radio operators are permitted to assist news media representatives in gathering information to be relayed to the public from areas where normal communications have been disrupted, particularly when the information involves the safety or life of individuals, or the immediate protection of property, and no other channels of communication are available.”
NO NEED TO WAIT TO USE THIS RESOURCE
Even if Amateur Radio operators’ networks in a disaster area are not officially activated, they often have knowledge about the event that would be valuable to your viewers or listeners ability to stay safe.
The ARRL sponsors the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) specifically to encourage Amateur Radio Operators to equip themselves to provide emergency communications, to quote the ARES motto, “When All Else Fails.” Your station’s news department will benefit from creating a relationship with local Amateur Radio operators.
A quick phone call to an Amateur Radio Operator who is part of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service can provide your audience with valuable information and guidance for life safety!
You can reach the ARES easily by setting your browser to the Amateur Radio Emergency Service or click here to learn more.
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Mike Langner, K5MGR, is an ABIP inspector based in Albuquerque NM. He is a veteran engineer with some 50 years of broadcast experience in New Mexico. Mike can be contacted at: mlangner@swcp.com
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