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Jul. 28, 2010
By Chris Umscheid
NORTH LIBERTY LEADER
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| Jeff Dodd documents his contact with a fellow amateur radio operator June 26 during a Field Day event for the Iowa City Amateur Radio Club. |
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IOWA CITY- In a disaster, communications are vital. But often, phone lines are down or overloaded, cell phones fail and electricity is out.
"When all else fails, there's Amateur Radio"
So says David Christ, president of the Iowa City Amateur Radio Club (ICARC). Amateur radio operators- more commonly known as "hams," the explanations for which are varied and colorful, but not historically verifiable- fill a vital gap relaying information for public safety agencies whose own radio networks become overwhelmed.
"Amateur radio operators are often the first to report critical information to responders in the first hours of crisis situations," Christ said. Hams have historically provided communications during disasters including such recent events as the earthquake in Haiti, wildfires, and earthquakes in California, tornadoes in Oklahoma, and flash flooding in Arkansas, as well as other crises.
With their shortwave radios, the operators are able to communicate not only across town or across the state, but across the country and even around the world. The operators undergo various levels of requirements for licensing by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In fact, the FCC looks at the operators as not just hobbyists, but rather as the Amateur Radio Service.
Christ explained why hams are held in such esteem.
"They have the knowledge and skills to innovate and find a solution where none of the standard methods work," he said.
According to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for hams, more than 682,000 Americans hold licenses, as do 2.5 million around the world.
Currently, 22 licensed amateur operators reside in Solon, 16 in North Liberty, eight in Swisher, and three in Tiffin. Not all are members of the ICARC, however, which draws its members from across the county.
Their communications abilities and skills are considered important by such agencies as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Weather Service (NWS). Operators often undergo severe weather spotter training, under the NWS "SKYWARN" program. As trained spotters, Hams are able to recognize and report severe weather allowing for warnings to be issued. The new Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC) for Johnson County has two work stations assigned to and equipped for the Iowa City Amateur Radio Club.
In order to keep up their skills, as well as to compete in a sanctioned event, members of the club participated in a nationwide Field Day June 26 and 27. For 24 hours, Hams manned three radios set up in a pavilion in Upper City Park. They strung wire antennas in trees around the shelter, placed a portable antennae directing and receiving signals from orbiting satellites, and fired up a portable generator.
Under austere field conditions and mosquito attacks, the Hams attempted to make radio contact with as many of their fellow operators as possible. Multiple methods were used ranging from Morse code, which was first employed in the days of the telegraph, as well as voice and text messaging via a computer hooked up to the radio. The men documented each contact, earning points in an ARRL contest. However, president Christ said the main objective for the day was more about having fun and meeting their fellow Hams rather than racking up the most contacts and scoring points.
"Be happy if there is an amateur radio operator near you," Christ added.
The ICARC meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Grant Wood AEA building, 200 Holiday Road, in Coralville. For more information about the club, go to www.ICARC.org. For information about amateur radio go to www.arrl.org.
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