US Air Force Reservist uses ham radio skills

The US Air Force reports a reservist uses his amateur radio skills to support emergency responders during times of emergencies

Air Force Reserve Tech. Sgt. David Hodge KC0YCQ, who also operates Defense Meteorological Satellite Program weather satellites as a crew member, donates portions of his personal life for service to the community from what he said began as a mere hobby.

"One of the reasons why I do this is because I believe I have a skill set that not everyone has, yet can be used to help the community" Hodge said. "I'm a big geek with computers and software and in learning new things and how they work. I got interested in amateur communication and thought to myself, 'Hey, this is really cool.' I get on a radio in my house, and I can connect to a node on Cheyenne Mountain and, through the internet, talk to people in Australia and around the world. Then I started learning that anytime there is an emergency going on in the world, people lose all forms of communication- except amateur radio."

In 2012, his radio skill sets would be tested to the limit as smoke began to billow from the crevasses of Colorado Spring's nearby Waldo Canyon.

"During the Waldo Canyon fire, I was one of three operators who could initially respond to the Teller County area," he said. "I spent four days living in the Red Cross shelter at Summit Elementary School in Divide, even taking over the principal's office to set up our communications equipment. As we stood up our radios, the sheriff ended up activating Teller County Search and Rescue to watch for other fires being started."

Hodge's involvement later as Teller County's chief of search and rescue communications helped to ensure the complete evacuation of Woodland Park as search and rescue teams were ordered out of the area by the sheriff. After rallying, Hodge helped to lead teams back into the town to mark each home to indicate citizens had either evacuated, or were staying to ride out the fires.

Already a now-experienced radio operator during natural disasters, Hodge was called out, once again, to respond to 2013's Black Forest fire. When word came via e-mail from the Pikes Peak Amateur Radio Emergency Services that radio operators were needed to support the Red Cross, and needed fast, Hodge turned to his squadron operations superintendent , Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Buell.

"The flexibility of our squadron is certainly helpful for sergeant Hodge in that we understand that, if the mission is not impeded, he can go out and do what he needs to do," Buell said. "He has talents that people need to help with saving lives, so it's vital to allow him, as a resource, to get out there and help others."

Read the full story - http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/467378/reservists-amateur-radio-skills-lynch-pin-for-emergency-responders.aspx

Radio hams honored for community preparedness

An all-volunteer amateur radio organization has been recognized by King County (State of Washington) Executive Dow Constantine for its commitment to emergency preparedness and response

Renton Emergency Communication Service (RECS) was chosen for a record of service that stretches back long before their formal incorporation in 2008 by two groups of amateur radio operators. Over time, RECS volunteers have evolved to become a key asset to Renton's Fire and Emergency Services Department, especially during disasters.

Each RECS member is trained to staff the Renton Emergency Operations Center and carry out communication responsibilities.

"Our emergency radio communication volunteers are a vital part of our emergency preparedness program in Renton," said Mayor Law. "These volunteers have already shown their value to this city through the assistance they provided during past storm events that crippled this area. We are very fortunate to have this dedicated group of people in our community."

During the snow and ice storm of January 2012, RECS performed critical functions, including call-taking, managing radio and social media, and providing real-time weather and road information gathered from around the City of Renton. When power was lost to hundreds of homes, RECS members were deployed to Renton's network of Neighborhood Information Centers, where they posted information on shelter and food distribution locations.

"The dedication and commitment shown by the RECS volunteers is making a real difference in our ability to better serve our community," said Renton Fire Chief Mark Peterson. "They provide timely and critical communications and information before it is needed."

Read the full story - http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/news/release/2013/October/03PreparednessAward.aspx

Renton Emergency Communication Service - http://www.rentonecs.net/

Are UK amateur radio licences really on the increase?

Ofcom have released the amateur radio licence statistics for September 2013 showing a further rise in numbers

The grand total of licences at the start of September was 81888 an increase of 87 over the August figure.

“The new “lifetime” licence will remain valid for as long as the licence details remain correct or until such time as the licence is either revoked by Ofcom or surrendered by the licensee. There is no end date on the “lifetime” amateur radio licence but Ofcom will revoke the licence unless the licence is either amended or validated at least once every 5 years.”

— Ofcom

The first of these new licences were issued in 2006 but the licence statistics appear to show that none yet been revoked due to the holder failing to amended or validate it. Because of the impact of the Olympics, Ofcom did make the initial licences run for six years instead of five. This extension should have resulted in those licences that were not validated dropping out of the statistics after December 2012.

Since 2006 possibly as many as 3,500 UK radio amateurs have died and they would have been expected to drop out of the statistics, but month after month the numbers that Ofcom report show a steady rise.

There is no way of telling how many amateurs have simply given up the hobby in the past 7 years or how many amateurs there really are. The rumour mill may suggest that fewer than 25,000 amateurs have renewed their licence but the statistics do not tell us.

On March 14, 2013 a response to a Freedom of Information Request stated that "Ofcom have not carried out another extension." [of the licence], but it seems they haven't revoked any license either.

Ofcom UK Amateur Radio Licence Statistics - http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/amateur-radio/guidance-for-licensees/monthly-stats/

How to validate your licence - http://www.essexham.co.uk/news/remember-to-validate-your-licence.html