The Importance of HAM Radio During a Storm

With Hurricane Florence heading to the coast, communications could become an issue between emergency personnel. HAM, or amateur radio, is used when nothing else will work. S.C. Emergency Management Director, Kim Stenson said, "Amateur radio, ham radio, is extremely important to emergency management, not just here but in every state in the US. It’s a form of communication that may work, or will work, when all the other systems are down and it’s proved that in numerous disasters here recently." And if there are issues during Florence, the operators, who are volunteers, will be ready to assist. But what about the future of this communication? In the era of smart phones is the next generation interested in amateur radio? At Schofield Middle School in Aiken, they’re ready to be the next generation of communicators and hope to be a resource in emergency situations. And they’re winning national awards while they are doing it. For more information on amateur radio, visit the following links: https://scheart.us/ http://ares-sc.org/