I wanted to take a minute to recognize all of the amateur radio operators out there and say thank you. One thing that’s stood out to me about almost all of the amateur (ham) radio operators I’ve met is their willingness and interest in being of service. They truly are a national resource. What surprises many people is that this isn’t a government agency or a well-funded organization — it’s a volunteer network of individual licensed operators.
These are the folks who step up and are prepared to help in any emergency and, after an emergency, coordinate disaster recovery. Some operators are trained SKYWARN storm spotters, reporting real-time severe weather observations directly to the National Weather Service. Others serve through ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), providing critical communications when normal infrastructure fails during disasters. Search and Rescue (SAR) is another common role, as is participation in CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). Ham operators can also be found at hospitals, shelters, and command centers during major events. Many volunteer at public and charity events such as marathons, parades, and festivals. Places where cell service isn’t available or is unreliable.
Hamvention has been taking place since 1952 and remains one of the largest amateur radio gatherings in the world, drawing over 35,000 attendees from across the globe. Hundreds of vendors, a massive outdoor flea market, and technical seminars make it worth the trip whether you’re a seasoned operator or just getting started. People come to buy, sell, and trade gear, attend forums, connect with manufacturers, and meet the operators they’ve only ever known by callsign. If Dayton isn’t practical, most regions host their own smaller hamfests, and your local amateur radio club is a great starting point for finding one near you. Search the ARRL club finder to get connected. If the thought of learning Morse code kept you from pursuing a license in the past, it’s worth knowing the FCC removed that requirement back in 2007, making now a great time to get started.
73 to you!
— Jessica Crotty CEO, C. Crane