Long ago, when I was 13, a friend and I took our ham radio test for what was then called the Novice class license. We both passed the test, and had a year to apply for the next level, called the Technician class, or we could apply for the next class --the General.
I let my license expire and began playing in bands. Bob, on the other hand went on to get the highest level, the Amateur Extra class. He has been active in the service for all these years.
So he sent me this from a blog. It is about how hams have been active in the storm damaged areas. Below are some segments from that blog.
First, the link:
groups.google.com/...
Next, some segments from the blog:
A number of hams from the United States have traveled to the islands while mainland hams have been receiving radio traffic, mostly at this point from residents who want to let their mainland family members know they are alright. Other ham radio emergency organizations such as the Amateur Radio Emergency Services(ARES), the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACEs) and theMilitary Affiliate Radio Service (MARs) have all been active in the three hurricanes and in providing local communications after the storms passed.
Hams man stations at Red Cross and other shelters and assist the public safety community when asked. In the case of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, they are serving another important function, that of notifying relatives on the mainland of island residents who are safe. This type of radio traffic is sent using shortwave radios that can communicate over long distances and can be set up and used with a simple wire-type antenna strung between two trees or buildings.
The greatest need has, of course, been in Puerto Rico and the ham radio community has not disappointed. The ARRL sent a number of cases containing long-distance radios and wire antennas, and others are procuring solar panels to use as a power source. Many island hams have set themselves up to be self-sufficient with battery back-up for their radios, perhaps a generator, and ways of stringing up temporary antennas if their own antennas were torn down. The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Association(PRFAA), a Washington-based organization that normally interacts with the White House, Congress, and other U.S. federal agencies is working diligently to send messages to and from the island, and is coordinating efforts with federal agencies on the island to secure locations to set up communications facilities.
There is much more, but I don’t want to exceed the fair use limits.
Read it; it is well worth it to see that many young people are joining what was once thought to be a dying hobby.