In the flurry of news articles on Tropical Storm Fay, one group has not received deserved attention. As the emergency coordinator for Highlands County Amateur Radio Service (ARES), I would like to publicly commend the volunteer members of ARES for the work they did during the storm. ARES provided communications for the four shelters opened during the storm. We used amateur radio equipment and frequencies to communicate between the EOC and each shelter. Fortunately during this storm the only messages were hourly shelter reports to the EOC. We were there, however, in case emergencies arose. Several ARES members spent up to 24 hours in the shelters and the EOC. We also were prepared to provide emergency communications outside of Highlands County if necessary. ...more

August 23, 2008 |

Thousands of ham radio operators are showing their emergency capabilities this weekend. ...more

June 28, 2008 |

Thousands of ham radio operators will show their emergency capabilities this weekend. ...more

June 27, 2008 |

SEBRING — When the lines of communication go down during a disaster, ham radio operators can help local rescue crews exchange vital information. If power goes out, the phone lines fail, the cell phone towers don't work and Internet access is down, hams provide that missing two-way communication link that can save lives. During Tuesday night's Hurricane Seminar at the Agri-Civic Center, led by Emergency Management Director Bill Nichols, several ham enthusiasts were on hand to talk to the public and demonstrate cutting-edge radio technology. ...more

June 4, 2008 |