THIS IS RADIO DISASTER CALLING: WHEN THE CELL TOWERS FAIL, HAM RADIO OPERATORS KEEP ON TALKING, AND TALKING, AND TALKING...

摘要

Affectionately known as "hams," these radio operators (NOTE: A ham's equipment is also known as ham radios) are able to continue the flow of information to and from a disaster relief area within moments of any kind of emergency. Especially those types of emergencies where the normal lines of communication (i.e., cell phones) are either overloaded (e.g., Boston Marathon bombing) or gone (e.g., Hurricane Katrina). Fueled by automobile batteries or banks of solar cells and bristling with VHF/UHF satellite and HF antennas, amateur radio operators are able to both get the word out of a stricken area and - more importantly - get the word into a disaster area. It is the flow of information that helps to minimize panic and assist in recovery.