One might divide amateur radio public service activities into two categories, one of which is essential services, and the other of which might be called value-added services. Understanding the nature of these two categories has become increasingly important as commercial and government telecommunications environments become more diverse and robust.

Essential Services:

While few would argue with the assertion that emergency service communications networks are far more reliable today, the fact remains that these systems do have vulnerabilities and limitations. Yet, fewer disaster situations require amateur radio support to fill in gaps or overcome inherent limitations in these systems. Therefore, some radio amateurs use this reality to assume that we are no longer needed. So, let’s examine that assumption.

It is the job of emergency management and relief organizations to conduct a thorough hazard and vulnerability analysis for their community or state. In doing so, consideration must be given to potential disasters that, although rare, can overwhelm or damage public safety communications systems. Like their professional counterparts, radio amateurs should also prepare for those rare situations in which “all else fails.”

The emergency management process, if properly conducted, requires coordination between numerous agencies and organizations, many of which do not normally utilize public safety communications networks. Even in the case of emergency situations that are less than catastrophic, organizations like ARES® and NTS can play an important role by providing the flexible and scalable communications resources needed to enhance coordination and information flow within the broader emergency management environment, thereby ensuring a cohesive response phase operation.

This brings us to an essential point: The bar for providing these essential services is rather high. Amateur radio volunteers must be able to do more than establish connectivity. They must be able to communicate efficiently and accurately. Senior volunteers need to understand how to function both within the emergency services environment and within the context of an operational EOC or message center. This means real training and experience conveying message traffic and managing important administrative tasks involving radio logs, records, and accountability.

Value-Added Services:

There are many opportunities for radio amateurs to assist with, other than significant disasters. A two-way radio network remains an excellent tool for coordinating a distributed event such as a parade, a marathon, severe weather events, or smaller emergency operation that falls outside the scope of normal emergency services operations. There remains great value in cohesive volunteer organizations that can provide not just real-time information, but also a level of quality control that renders the information of greater value than random inputs from public sources.

While it is important for Section leadership to not fall into the trap of simply becoming “emergency management volunteers who bring their own radios,” there are many events and situations in which Amateur Radio Service resources can greatly enhance safety and efficiency. These activities of lesser scale also provide a perfect opportunity to practice the essential skills needed to respond to those less common situations in which essential services are required. Best of all, they can provide a sense of purpose for ARES® and NTS volunteers.

Diminishing Relevance?

Fifty years ago, the ability to establish connectivity alone was valuable simply because mobile or portable two-way radio capability was a rarity. It so happens that many radio amateurs at that time also had experience with traffic handling, commercial and maritime communications, or military experience. When called upon to fill gaps in communications infrastructure, radio amateurs often rose to the occasion with efficient and accurate communications.

Today, the ability to establish connectivity is no longer a rare asset. However, the ability to support a disaster operation with excellent administrative skills, solid operating procedures, and efficient, accurate, traffic handling remains a high-value element in either a disaster operation or a community service event. However, one can’t learn the needed skills “on the job.” Effective, peer-reviewed training and effective drills and practice are needed to ensure that radio amateurs can do more than establish connectivity; rather, it ensures they can communicate.

Quo Vadis?

Perhaps amateur radio finds itself on a modern Appian Way, confronting a rapidly evolving telecommunications environment in which its destiny will be determined. One choice leads to diminished relevance whereas the other leads to a future in which amateur radio remains a valued community asset. If we want to choose the latter path, our volunteers must develop the solid communications, technical, and administrative skills needed to do so. This means prioritizing real training and experience in the core competencies of effective communications. Examples include:

• Ensuring your ARES® organization has regular connectivity to NTS traffic nets and other infrastructure-level systems.
• Conducting training drills in message handling (radiogram and radiogram-ICS213) during weekly two-meter nets (see an example at: radiorelay.org/files/training/RRI-TR-005-Phonetic-Alphabet-Training-Rev-A.pdf)
• Using community service events to set up a simulated message center which incorporates the administrative tasks that might be needed in a major disaster.
• Prioritizing training that emphasizes the core skills of communications methods and technical tasks.
• Using our amateur radio networks for routine reports and basic administrative functions within your section, rather than relying upon commercial common carrier methods.

Lastly, don’t forget that volunteers need a sense of purpose. Get involved in an NTS traffic net, if only one or two days a week. Use NTS and ARES nets to report routine weather data to the National Weather Service. During the warmer weather months, host events in which volunteers set up in the field and originate one or two pieces of message traffic. Exercise your creativity.

Use your volunteer resources wisely. Find that balance where they have a sense of belonging and purpose while gaining the skills needed to remain a valuable community asset. Our future depends on it. – James Wades, WB8SIW