Dean and Erin
admin Popularity: 11% [?] August 16th, 2007
The gulf now has a few storms, tropical storm Erin and hurricane Dean, the first hurricane of the 2007 Atlantic season. Dean looks like it will have plenty of time and water to strengthen into this weekend and it is projected to reach Mexico as a category 4 storm. You can see the current projections at The National Hurricane Center from NOAA.
Hams have long been a part of ECOMM (emergency communications) in times of bad weather, especially when hurricane Katrina hit. Some of the programs available for radio operators to get involved are RACES, ARES, SKYWARN, and several ARRL training classes and also the ICS from FEMA, and also MARS if you are a General license meet certain requirements, listed below.
- Be 17 years of age or older
- Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien
- Possess a valid Amateur Radio license issued by the FCC
- Possess a station capable of operating on MARS HF and/or VHF frequencies
- Agree to accept strict monthly requirments for on-air participation
above as noted in QST September 2007 issue
Coming up in other posts I will expand on each of these and explain what training I plan to do or have done to be a prepared amateur radio operator in times of need. Your local club should have information on each of these programs and there are plenty of places to use your radio operating skills in an emergency. 73, KI4WLR
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on 20 Aug 2007 at 2:01 pm
Hey,
Just wanted to let you know that you don’t need a General license to get in MARS. You are allowed on HF with a technician class license and MARS certificate.
73
KB3JUV Justin
on 20 Aug 2007 at 4:02 pm
Justin, thanks, you are correct, I just mis-read the information. One of the requirements I had read was: possess a station capable of operating on MARS HF and/or VHF frequencies
I appreciate the comment and I will correct the information.
73, KI4WLR