What amateur radio is, why it matters in disasters, licence requirements, ARES and RACES organisations, and how to get started with emergency-capable ham radio.
When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in September 2017, approximately 95% of cellular sites were knocked out of service. The island's entire communications infrastructure — internet, landline telephone, cellular — was effectively destroyed. In the weeks and months that followed, amateur radio operators provided a critical communications link: relaying medical emergency information, coordinating relief supplies, and maintaining contact with stranded communities that had no other means of communication.
This was not unusual. The same pattern repeats in virtually every major disaster. Amateur radio — ham radio — fills the gap that no other technology can fill because it requires no infrastructure beyond the radio itself and a suitable antenna.
Amateur radio is a licensed radio service that allows individuals to transmit and receive on a wide range of radio frequencies for non-commercial purposes. "Amateur" refers to the non-commercial, public-service nature of the activity — not to the technical skill level, which ranges from hobbyist to highly sophisticated.
Licensed amateur radio operators have access to dozens of frequency bands spanning from 1.8 MHz (160 metres) to 300 GHz (1 millimetre). This breadth of spectrum access makes amateur radio extraordinarily versatile: from local line-of-sight VHF/UHF communication to transcontinental HF propagation.
| Factor | Amateur Radio Advantage |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure dependency | Requires only a power source and antenna — no towers, no internet, no phone lines |
| Range | HF can reach globally with 100 watts; VHF/UHF reaches 10–100+ km via repeaters |
| Power flexibility | Can operate from vehicle batteries, solar panels, hand-crank generators |
| Frequency flexibility | Multiple bands allow adaptation to changing propagation conditions |
| Self-reliant network | Operators can relay messages hop-by-hop across a chain of stations |
| Legal protection | Under FCC Part 97.403, any person may use amateur radio during life/death emergency |
In the United States, the FCC requires a licence to transmit on amateur radio frequencies. Three licence classes exist:
| Licence | Exam | Frequency Access | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technician | 35-question multiple choice | All VHF/UHF + limited HF | Local and regional comms; most emergency work |
| General | Technician + 35-question | All VHF/UHF + expanded HF | Continental and intercontinental HF |
| Amateur Extra | General + 50-question | All amateur frequencies | Maximum access; leadership roles in emergency comms |
Getting a Technician licence is the recommended starting point:
Study time required: Most people pass the Technician exam with 10–20 hours of focused study using the question pool.
International equivalents: Most countries require a licence. The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) coordinates internationally. The UK uses Foundation/Intermediate/Full; Australia uses Foundation/Standard/Advanced. Check your national telecommunications regulator's website.
Under FCC Rule Part 97.403 (US), a person may use an amateur radio station during a genuine emergency when no other means of communication is available. This provision is narrow and specific:
The practical message is: if you are in a situation where amateur radio is the only remaining means of communication and lives are at stake, use it. But the far better position is to obtain a licence before the emergency so you have legal authority, skills, and equipment ready.
Two formal organisations coordinate amateur radio emergency communications in the United States:
ARES is an ARRL (American Radio Relay League) programme that organises volunteer amateur radio operators to provide emergency communications support to community served agencies — hospitals, emergency management, Red Cross chapters, and others.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Volunteer; local, section, and national levels |
| Membership | Any licensed amateur radio operator; no extra fee |
| Training | ICS-100, ICS-200, ARRL Emergency Communication courses |
| Served agencies | EOCs (Emergency Operations Centres), hospitals, Red Cross, Salvation Army |
| Activation | During declared emergencies or scheduled exercises |
To join: Contact your local ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) via arrl.org/ares.
RACES is an FCC-authorised service in which amateur radio operators are enrolled as government volunteers (Civil Defence) for emergency use:
Many operators belong to both ARES and RACES.
SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network) deploys amateur radio operators within Salvation Army disaster relief operations — specifically focused on welfare message relay (tracking separated family members).
SHARES (Shared Resources High Frequency Radio Program) is a US federal interagency HF radio network — relevant primarily for government operations.
The choice of frequency band has significant practical implications:
| Band | Frequency | Range | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 metres (VHF) | 144–148 MHz | 5–50 km direct, 50–200+ km via repeater | Local emergency comms, primary ARES/RACES band |
| 70 centimetres (UHF) | 420–450 MHz | 3–20 km direct, less via repeater | Urban environments, handheld portables |
VHF/UHF is the workhorse of local emergency communications. Most communities have repeaters — radio relay stations on hilltops, towers, or buildings — that dramatically extend range. During an emergency, the local 2m repeater may be the primary coordination frequency for all amateur radio emergency activity in the area.
| Band | Frequency | Range | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 metres | 7.0–7.3 MHz | Regional (hundreds of km) daytime, more at night | State and regional emergency nets |
| 80 metres | 3.5–4.0 MHz | Regional; excellent night propagation | Regional emergency nets; state-level |
| 20 metres | 14.0–14.35 MHz | Continental and intercontinental | National emergency comms; relaying to distant stations |
| 17/15/10 metres | Various | Long-range daytime | Long-haul relay |
HF requires larger antennas and more powerful transceivers, and propagation conditions vary. However, HF can reach anywhere in the world without any relay infrastructure — enormously valuable when all local communications are disrupted.
One of amateur radio's greatest advantages is operating from alternative power:
| Power Source | Typical Radio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 12V car/marine battery | HF transceiver (100W) or VHF handheld | Single battery provides hours to days depending on duty cycle |
| Lithium battery bank | VHF/UHF handheld | Portable; 2–10 hours per charge |
| Solar panel + charge controller | HF or VHF station | Indefinite operation in sunlight |
| Hand-crank generator | Low-power handhelds | Emergency backup; tiring for sustained use |
| Vehicle alternator (running engine) | Any radio | Unlimited but consumes fuel |
A well-configured go-kit for a VHF/UHF station (radio + battery + antenna) can weigh under 5 kg and operate for a full day of emergency communications.
⚠️ Radio equipment that you have never tested and trained on will not serve you in an emergency. Joining ARES, participating in exercises, and operating your radio regularly are as important as owning the equipment.
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Disaster — need to reach emergency coordination | Tune to local 2m simplex calling frequency (146.520 MHz in US) or activated repeater |
| No cellular in disaster, have ham radio | Call on 146.520 MHz (simplex) or local ARES-activated repeater frequency |
| Life/death emergency, no licence | Transmit on amateur frequencies under FCC 97.403; state situation clearly |
| Want to get licenced | Study at HamStudy.org; find exam at arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session |
| Want to join organised emergency comms | Contact local ARES group via arrl.org/ares |
| Power grid down — operating radio | Use 12V battery + solar charge controller for indefinite operation |
| Trying to reach distant station (regional disaster) | Use HF 40m band (7.200–7.300 MHz) during daylight; 80m (3.985 MHz) at night |
| Programming repeaters | Use RepeaterBook app or repeaterbook.com |
Take Ham Radio for Emergency Communication with you — no internet needed when it matters most.
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