Ham Radio is Kentucky’s Backup Communications

Last winter’s ice storms were a sobering reminder that the conventional communications infrastructure that we have grown very comfortable using is very fragile. Cell phones and Internet have become the primary source of communication in our daily lives and we rarely think about how we would communicate without them. Ham Radio uses simpler, yet, more resilient technology that has proven itself in times of power and communication loss.

In every disaster you can always find Ham Radio Operators providing emergency communication; using their own equipment and emergency power.  Hams who provide this service are usually a part of A.R.E.S (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) and work along with the community’s disaster service.

Hams routinely check in with one another by participating in weekly Radio Nets. This allows everyone to get to know each other and become familiar with each others capabilities.

Now that I’ve settled back into Berea, Kentucky, I want to re-connect to it’s emergency communications system so that I’ll still be ‘online’ when the lights go out.  I’ve got a 2 Meter Radio, Antenna, and Emergency Power.  Only thing left to do is to find a good place to install the antenna and begin checking in on the local radio nets!

Amateur Radio Nets
Monday	7:00 PM	146.865-	192.8	Madison County ARES Net
Wednesday	8:30 PM	146.715-	100.0	Wilderness Trail Emergency Net

More info:

• In Kentucky, Officials See Ham Radio as a Backup
• NYT/AP: “In Kentucky, Officials See Ham Radio as a Backup”
• Madison County ARES
• Amateur Radio Emergency Services

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