The call has gone out - asking for Amateur Radio Operators - to assist with the disaster relief after the tornadoes in Indiana and Kentucky...
QRZ.COM
The title of this article should not be Nitwit Romney doesn't need ham radio operators.
It should read - are ham radio operators still needed for emergencies.
The bottom line is -- YES - if they are real HAMS and not appliance operators.
Compare it to weekend warriors who's only purpose is to once a month dress up in fancy clothes and walk around with radios and act like they are important people.
When in fact - most hams do not actually talk on the radio, other then the once a week check in, on one or two nets where they give their call sign and the reply - " No Traffic"!
The bottom line is - these people do not know how to work a round table.
Do not know how to give traffic.
Do not know how to take traffic.
Do not know proper radio procedure in emergencies and cannot follow simple protocol.
Do we need these " Hams" - NO!
The ones we do need is the ones who knows how to operate their radios and others - including how to program their own radio. How to work a round table, how to take traffic, how to give traffic, are willing to participate in classes where they can learn the basic skills necessary to communicate properly and work a emergency, along with a disposable income - because amateur radio operators are not compensated for their time or travel. A really lucky ham needs to realize that it is a emergency situation and that even food and laundry services might not be available - along with no hotel accommodations within 20 - 50 miles of the disaster...
You would need a GOTA station and a ready bag and lot's of food and money to support yourself while at the disaster site... A mobile generator - a charging station to recharge the batteries of the radios of the people who's only radio is a handheld. Maybe even a tent - since no structures might be standing which you could use at the location where you are needed.