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THE Down East Sideband Society Net
All "Down
Easters"
have experienced, on some level, what happens when the Internet, the
local cell phone towers, and the power grid goes down. It is
almost impossible to connect with others in case of an emergency when
hurricanes landfall on North Carolina's Crystal Coast.
But there are amateur radio operators across North Carolina and beyond
who are ready to step in when our “modern” forms of communication
fail. The idea of communicating with other amateur radio
operators across the country and around the world is appealing to many
hams. It’s like having a pen pal, but there’s no wait time for a
return letter, and it doesn’t require postage.
Many hams see their hobby as a serious commitment to serving
others. Since you can set up a ham radio operation just about
anywhere, and
they are relatively portable, they are one of the best ways for
information to be disseminated when “modern” communication fail due to
some major disaster event. Amateur
radio operators can step in to assist with emergency communication
efforts as well as to support public service and relief agencies
providing
help to those affected. If you’re interested in joining the
network of amateur radio operators in your area, the first step is
obtain an amateur radio license from the Federal Communications
Commission. Contact the amateur radio
club in your area, and they can help you get
started with study materials and exam information. Jump in! Find
a mentor, get ready for an amateur radio test. It's not a
difficult or expensive test and Morse code is no longer required!