Amateur radio operation is licensed by an appropriate government entity (for example, by the Federal Communications Commission in the United States) as coordinated through the International Telecommunication Union.
An estimated two million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio.
The term "amateur" does not imply a lack of skill or quality, but rather that amateur radio and its operators work outside of an official, governmental or commercial capacity.
Although the main purpose of Amateur Radio is fun, it is called the "Amateur Radio Service" because it also has a serious face. The FCC created this "Service" to fill the need for a pool of experts who could provide backup during emergencies.
In addition, the FCC acknowledged the ability of the hobby to advance the communication and technical skills of radio, and to enhance international goodwill. This philosophy has paid off. Countless lives have been saved where skilled hobbyists act as emergency communicators to render aid, whether it's during an earthquake in Italy or a hurricane in the U.S.
- Find and join a supportive amateur radio club near you. Click here to search for a club. Some clubs are specifically set up as "mentor" clubs to help people get into the hobby. So when looking through the list of clubs, look for those that offer "help for newcomers".
- Join the ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio. There are many benefits of membership that will help you grow as an Amateur Radio operator.
- Do it yourself with the helpful list of resources from ARRL, including books, guides, online courses and more!
- Relay messages, hams are the backbone of a communication network during a disaster.
- Create an "AntComm Site" on the A.N.T.S website to relay messages and information from your area to other members
- Use the standardized frequencies and modes below to communicate with other preppers.
Standardized Amateur Radio Prepper Communications Plan
About
In the event of a nationwide catastrophic disaster, the nationwide network of Amateur Radio licensed preppers will need a set of standardized meeting frequencies to share information and coordinate activities between various prepper groups. This Standardized Amateur Radio Communications Plan establishes a set of frequencies on the 80 meter, 40 meter, 20 meter, and 2 meter Amateur Radio bands for use during these types of catastrophic disasters.
Routine
nets will not be held on all of these frequencies, but preppers are
encouraged to use them when coordinating with other preppers on a
routine basis. Routine nets may be conducted by The American
Preparedness Radio Net (TAPRN) on these or other frequencies as they see
fit. However, TAPRN will promote the use of these standardized
frequencies by all Amateur Radio licensed preppers during times of
catastrophic disaster. The promotion of this
Standardized Amateur Radio Communications Plan is encouraged by all
means within the prepper community, including via Amateur Radio,
Twitter, Facebook, and various blogs.
Standardized Frequencies and Modes
80 Meters – 3.818 MHz LSB (TAPRN Net: Sundays at 9 PM ET)
40 Meters – 7.242 MHz LSB
40 Meters Digital – 7.073 MHz USB CONTESTIA 4/250 (TAPRN: Sundays at 7:30 PM ET)
20 Meters – 14.242 MHz USB
2 Meters – 146.420 MHz FM
Nets and Network Etiquette
In times of nationwide catastrophic disaster, the ability of any one prepper to initiate and sustain themselves as a net control may be limited by the availability of power and other resource shortages. However, all licensed preppers are encouraged to maintain a listening watch on these frequencies as often as possible during a catastrophic disaster. Preppers may routinely announce themselves in the following manner:
• This is [Your Callsign Phonetically] in [Your State], maintaining a listening watch on [Standard Frequency] for any preppers on frequency seeking information or looking to provide information. Please call [Your Callsign Phonetically].
Preppers exchanging information that may require follow up should agree upon a designated time to return to the frequency and provide further information. If other stations are utilizing the frequency at the designated time you return, maintain watch and proceed with your communications when those stations are finished. If your communications are urgent and the stations on frequency are not passing information of a critical nature, interrupt with the word “Break” and request use of the frequency.
For More Information
The American Preparedness Radio Network: http://www.taprn.com
