Is ham radio still relevant ?

Question

Ham radio used to be invaluable for emergency communications. But with the proliferation of cell phones, this aspect of amateur radio may not be as important as it used to be.

Answer 1

Ham radio is still invaluable for emergency communications. Katrina was an excellent example -- all power, cell phone towers, etc. were destroyed. Ham radio operators from around the country converged on the area. Each Ham has his own equipment - He doesn't rely on any infrastructure for his communications system to work. The range of the communications can be hundreds or thousands of miles, with relay systems and methods developed to ensure accurate communications. Cell phones, police radios, etc. never have a range over a few miles. Additionally, amateur radio is invaluable for developing new communications technologies. Experimenters with packet radio were the pioneers largely responsible for cell phone development.

Answer 2

Ham radio in emergency communications is still relevant because, as others have mentioned, conventional communications can, and do, fail. There are at least two other ways in which Amateur Radio remains relevant in emergency situations:

1. Hams often provide communications for agencies such as the Red Cross that do not have their own communications facilities at disaster sites.

2. Increasingly, hams are being called upon to act as "technicians" at disaster scenes to operate, install or repair equipment that no one else on hand can understand. A competent ham, for example, can properly install and test an antenna system, regardless of whether it is a commercial or ham antenna.

Answer 3

Cell phone repeater towers fall down &/or destroyed in emergencies. That was a major problem in New Orleans during & after Hurricain Katrina. Many govt. and non govt. agencies counted on cell phones for co-ordination & communication and were rendered useless
Also, cell phones require electrical recharging. Ham radios require electricity too. But they are stationary and many operators have generators to supply the electricity and have enough fuel to supply that electricity for days.
Dan the Answers-Man.

Answer 4

ham radio operators have to pass tests to operate their radios. some times they are the only who can broadcast in such times of emergencies. also in some small towns there is no cell phone or limited cell phone net works that reach their areas. so yes ham radios are very important and their operators are talented people who are not appreciated enough

Answer 5

Are any other hobbies and pastimes relevant ? Does something have to be relevant in other's eyes to be worthy of our own time ?

I brew beer; therefor I am.

Al

Answer 6

my uncle still uses that stuff i dont think it will ever go extinct