All Arc, All the Time

Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is a valuable tool for emergency communication. In times of crisis, when regular communication channels may be disrupted or overwhelmed, ham radio operators are often able to provide vital information and support to emergency responders and affected communities.

Amateur radio is a critical component of our emergency communication capabilities. In the event of a disaster, ham radio operators can provide critical information and support to first responders and affected communities.

One of the key advantages of amateur radio is that it operates on independent, non-commercial frequencies. This means that it is not reliant on infrastructure such as cell towers or the internet, which can be damaged or overwhelmed during an emergency. Ham radio operators are able to set up their own equipment and communicate directly with each other as well as served agencies, providing a valuable backup to regular communication channels.

In a disaster situation, when other communication methods may be unavailable or unreliable, amateur radio provides a vital link. Ham radio operators are trained to handle emergency communication, and they can provide valuable information and support to emergency responders and the public.

In addition to their role in emergency communication, ham radio operators also provide important public service by supporting events such as marathons and parades, and by participating in drills and exercises to test and improve emergency response plans.

Overall, amateur radio plays a crucial role in emergency communication, and the skills and dedication of ham radio operators are essential for maintaining the safety and well-being of our communities.

Very humbled to have been chosen as “Ham of the Year” for 2017.

Well after a long, hard week of studying…I passed my general exam this morning and my wife, Josie, got her tech ticket!  So excited for the new doors that have been opened for me in amateur radio now.  (Of course now I’ve got to start studying for my extra lol)

What an amazing day I had (even if I was exhausted)! I truly fell in love with amateur radio all over again! North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club (NOARC)field day was awesome. Got to make my first contacts on HF. Hit all the way out to California and up to New York. Never a dull moment in amateur radio. Thanks to all my NOARC friends for making it a great day! Thanks to my wife Josie for being out there and supporting me. #ARRLFD

I successfully checked in to my first “net” on HAM radio.  For those of you not familiar with what I’m talking about a “net” is a group meeting that all join up on a single frequency or in the case of this one it is operated on what is known as a reflector.  A good way to think about a reflector is like a phone conference bridge.  People can join in using a DSTAR capable radio either via a repeater or using a dongle, such as a DVAP, attached to your PC and then transmitting directly to it to the reflector.  Tonight was the southeastern weather net.

During the weather net the net controller, a person that “hosts” the net, introduces the purpose of the net followed by general announcements.  An opportunity is then given for anyone to announce any emergency notifications.  Following this initial process the net controller then calls for check-ins from each person state by state.  Once your state is called you are asked to key up for one second on your radio.  Since DSTAR is a digital technology when you key up it transmits your call sign automatically so the net operator can sign you in.  The operator then calls on each person that has checked in to provide their name and location and any weather updates they wish to provide.

I highly encourage you to find a net to check in to for your area to get the experience.  Nets will be critical during times of emergency communications so having the chance to utilize one prior to an actual emergency is a great thing!

For more information on DSTAR, check out my useful links page.

Well after waiting for a little over a week for my technician license to come through the FCC, it arrived on 7/19/2016.  My radio arrived on Wednesday 7/20.  I had a late night for work so didn’t get home until around 10P and played with it until about midnight.  Drove to work the next day and back home, no contacts..yeah I tried.

Finally around 8:00P on 7/21/2016 I heard a call come out on the Milton, FL repeater so I jumped out of bed and grabbed my radio.  I was very nervous to reply back but I finally told myself I had to do it at some point.  Coolest part of the story is it ended up being the gentleman I sat by when I was taking my test!

Check out the video below and enjoy!