Amateur Radio is more Important Than Ever

Herb Henson -KO6Z writes "Domestic and military communications have evolved in recent years into complex, networked data and cellular systems that depend almost entirely on wide bandwidth commercial satellites and landlines for connectivity. The capacity of these systems is huge, but so is their collective vulnerability to failure.


Typical Amateur Radio modes, in comparison, are low capacity, but require only simple equipment and network infrastructure to be operational. For this reason, I believe Amateur Radio operators are becoming more and more important as a back-up communications resource. Are we ready to step in and provide vital communications links when high-tech "normal" communications systems are disrupted or are otherwise not available? We can do a lot better.



First, I believe that Amateur Radio license tests should include questions that require at least a minimal knowledge of traffic handling and associated net procedures. This is, after all, the primary reason we are allocated valuable RF spectrum. In recent years, the nember of hams involved in traffic handling has shrunk dramatically. We need to do everything we can to encourage participation and training in this very important -- and enjoyable -- activity.



Next, we need to update our mindset and methods to include Internet interface and more use of Web sites for collecting and distributing emergency and health-and-welfare message traffic. In most of the emergency situations we are likely to encounter, Amateur Radio operators are needed to provide communications in and out of the communications outage area. Outside this area, however, our traffic handling infrastructure should not require exclusive use of Amateur Radio only links, e.g., the National Traffic System (NTS). While the NTS needs to be maintained and exercised, it needs to be updated to better support the most likely real-world emergency communications scenarios where interface with the Internet as soon as feasible will provide much more effective communnications connectivity.



Finally, we need to drop the doom-and-gloom talk about the demise of Amateur Radio. Instead, let's start talking about and letting others know about the very real and vital service we can provide in emergency communications situations.



Herb Henson - KO6Z"