Amateur Radio EmComm Is Not Dead!!

With the recent wildfires in Maui, HI, there has been many discussions about emergency communications and amateur radio. After reading and responding to several Facebook posts in various groups and pages, the temperature in the room sounds like many are giving up on amateur radio for emergency communications.

So I have decided to write this as an opinion piece and share my thoughts on this subject.

First and foremost, all disasters are not the same, just because amateur radio was not necessary or not useful in Maui, does not mean it will not be useful in other disasters. We can not take Maui as the example that amateur radio will never be needed or useful.

So, Maui is currently not using amateur radio for the emergency communications, so what!!! and because of that we should throw in the towel? I certainly hope not. There was a video going around https://youtu.be/Hjx6qxM8imA she does an excellent presentation about the communications for Maui. After watching and listening carefully, communications for governmental agencies were operational, however she did state fiber optics was damaged.

So, here is my opinion on what I just stated. Yes communications for served agencies are operational, but that is served agencies, which is a great thing, however, what about the residents, cell service was spotting from the damage to fiber optics, yes many drove 1/2 mile or more to get service, if they even had a vehicle to do that. The bigger picture here is amateur radio is useful in assisting residents to contact loved ones when cell service is down, sure some cell systems are resilient in many areas and some are not. Using Winlink is very useful. More on this in a moment.

So lets just take disasters in general, amateur radio is not the end all of b all, it seems many folks forget that amateur radio is only one part in a communications toolbox. Also, just because governmental agencies may not need or use amateur radio, we all should pack our toys up and go home and write on Facebook how amateur radio is now useless in emergency communications for disasters, is a load of bologna. If you think that, then you are just a Monday morning quarterback sitting behind a computer complaining how amateur radio is dead. How about thinking outside the Go Box!!!

So, governmental agencies do not need amateur radio, ok, great, after all isn’t that the goal in disasters to have agencies up an running with communications. So, let’s move on and put our thinking caps on, which I am afraid many fail to do., on how amateur radio can be used.

Did you know that there are thousands of NGO’s in the United States, I am not talking about Red Cross, Salvation Army, or any other larger corporate NGO’s. The smaller ones, the ones that go in a help residents during disasters, serving food, setting up supply chains, helping clear property, etc etc. Did you know that many of these organizations do not even have a communications system or even afford one. Yet volunteers go out assisting and many of the NGO’s wish they had some sort of communications from a base camp to volunteers in the field. Sure some use Zello, but that is there only way to communicate, and when that goes down, they have nothing, because it is only one tool in their tool box.

Or what about the smaller towns that get neglected because governmental bodies are helping larger cities. Many small communities welcome the assistance, what if their communications was not operational? Yes, it has happened and amateur radio operators stepped in.

So tell me, a governmental agency does not have any use for amateur radio, would you seek out an NGO and help them, assist them in developing a communication plan? Just because working with an NGO is not per say emergency communications, it is still communications and yes perhaps using amateur radio.

What if you came across an organization during a disaster who were running relief efforts and noticed they may not have any communications setup up, would you be bold enough to introduce yourself and offer communications support for that organization?

Relief efforts in Maui are taking place, how many organizations are running relief efforts that may need a communications set up? Again, if you were in the area, would you be bold enough to offer help or just sit back and complain that amateur radio is dead!!

So, to those who think amateur radio is dead for emergency communications, this is the plan for Anemoi Incident Response.

Our toolbox is full of communication methods, amateur radio, GMRS, FRS, Zello, Cell Phone, and in the future Satellite Phones. Amateur Radio will play a big part in our Auxcomm Team, from 2m, 70cm, HF, and running Winlink, no matter if cell phones are working or not.

Once communications equipment is set up and base camp established, if extra operators are deployed, some will be used to make contacts for donations for supplies and coordinating deliveries, assist in passing out supplies, assisting residents for health and welfare checks with loved ones, delivering meals/supplies to those who may not have a vehicle, etc etc. All above using some sort of communication device. Yes it is not just about amateur radio, but again, amateur radio will play a big part in our plan.

If Anemoi Incident Response see’s another NGO that may need communication assistance, we will gladly assist them, it’s not just about Anemoi, but how Anemoi can assist the communities and other NGO’s.

Oh sure, when Anemoi first started, we were seeking amateur radio operators to be part of our team, I am here to say many gave us blow back on Facebook. Comments like why, there is RACES or ARES. Why are you rewriting the book? just connect with ARES. Also, yes it was stated that we would not be needed because of this or that. Well I am here to state, we are defying the odds, yes we wrote our own Auxcomm SOP, because it is for our team, not ARES, RACES, or any other governmental organization. It is what we will be using for communications during disasters. However, Anemoi Incident Response Auxcomm Team Volunteers will always follow the SOP’s. laws, or guidelines for any governmental agency, if we are requested to serve.

So, there is a question out there, what else can amateur radio do for the good of the cause when not allowed into a disaster scene? Simply put…PLENTY…even if governmental agencies do not need amateur radio.

The above is my opinion, if others disagree, that is ok with me, I just know what I will be bringing to the table during a disaster. If any of the above is taken out of context, I do apologize and will be happy to explain further to clear anything that was stated.

Thomas Sarlitto, KD9JSA, Anemoi Incident Response Auxcomm Director