Sometimes things that are old become new again and ham radio is one of them that is seeing something of a resurgence.
Once thought of as an arcane practice requiring stacks of devices with glowing tubes and years of study, ham radio now uses compact, technologically-advanced electronics and the process of becoming a ham has been simplified so that anyone can do it with only a little work.
Ham radio can be a hobby but some also see it as a sport and it can be a community service.
The tornado damage recently in Amory is an example of that (some local hams did go to Amory to help). There may be no electricity or cell phone service but a properly-equipped ham can set up anywhere and be operating on the air in 10 or 15 minutes with the aid of generator or even battery power. And that person can be capable of wide-ranging communications.
Recently, a local amateur radio group participated in an annual exercise known as Field Day to see who could perform best in simulated emergency conditions.
Read more – New Albany Gazette:
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