baybum
Member
To address the original question...In my opinion, HAM radio operators can help in situations where some communications systems go down or are overwhelmed. It is for that reason that the "old school" analog way of communicating should not be abandoned or replaced. Not that I'm suggesting this is what the OP is recommending. If the "new age" systems go down, and the majority of hams are on it, they will go down also.
I remember when the attack on Sept. 11, 2001 occurred. I couldn't contact my brother on the cell phone (who was in DC at the time), but we made contact on the local 2 meter repeater, and eventually on simplex.
I agree that amateur radio is not there to replace local public safety communications. But when the new state-of-the-art system fails, nothing else will be more dependable than the 2 meter or 70cm local operators.
I think post #4 of this thread nailed it.
I remember when the attack on Sept. 11, 2001 occurred. I couldn't contact my brother on the cell phone (who was in DC at the time), but we made contact on the local 2 meter repeater, and eventually on simplex.
I agree that amateur radio is not there to replace local public safety communications. But when the new state-of-the-art system fails, nothing else will be more dependable than the 2 meter or 70cm local operators.
I think post #4 of this thread nailed it.
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