{"id":13075,"date":"2015-04-29T07:21:30","date_gmt":"2015-04-29T11:21:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=13075"},"modified":"2015-04-29T07:21:30","modified_gmt":"2015-04-29T11:21:30","slug":"ars-technica-people-turn-to-ham-radio-in-aftermath-of-nepal-earthquake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/04\/ars-technica-people-turn-to-ham-radio-in-aftermath-of-nepal-earthquake\/","title":{"rendered":"ARS Technica: People turn to ham radio in aftermath of Nepal earthquake"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Elecraft-KX3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> reader, John Drake, who shares this excellent article from ARS Technica<\/a>:<\/p>\n

“On Saturday, Nepal was shaken by a massive earthquake that registered a 7.8 on the Richter scale, causing widespread destruction in areas of dense population, and preventing aid workers from reaching more isolated villages in the mountainous regions. As of Tuesday, at least 5,000 people were dead and at least 10,000 were injured. Hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless.<\/p>\n

With any natural disaster, communication can often become a matter of life and death, and if phone lines are broken and cell towers crumble, relaying messages to the outside world and coordinating rescue efforts becomes that much more difficult. Add to that the fact that Nepal’s government is woefully unprepared to handle such a humanitarian crisis, and chaos reigns.<\/p>\n

Still, some volunteers are trying to impose order on the chaos. After the quake, which shook cities in India as well as Nepal, volunteer ham radio operators from India traveled to the region to relay messages from areas whose communications infrastructure is broken or overloaded. Ham radio, also called amateur radio, is a means of sending and receiving messages over a specific radio frequency, and it is often used in disaster situations because it operates well off the grid; transceivers can be powered by generators and set up just about anywhere.<\/p>\n

Amateur radio has taken a back seat with hobbyists in recent decades as other means of wireless communication have become cheaper and easier for people to use (you don’t need a special license from the FCC to operate a cell phone, although sometimes it seems like we’d be better for it if that were the rule). The decline in participation rates is unlikely to change substantially in the US, and the Times of India noted that awareness about ham radio is still low in India and nearby areas. Still, it has proven to be effective as a means of communication in Nepal in recent days.”<\/p>\n

Continue reading on ARS Technica…<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Transceivers like the Elecraft KX3<\/a> (above) are perfect for aid workers in need of communications in the\u00a0aftermath of a natural disaster. Many modern transceivers (like the Kx3) can run for hours at a time off of battery packs, can be deployed almost anywhere and can easily be attached to amplifiers if needed.<\/p>\n

It may take a license to operate amateur radio, but frankly it’s a fairly low barrier of entry. Morse Code tests are no longer required here in the US and all of the questions and answers are multiple choice and in the public domain<\/a>. \u00a0Indeed, I found the Technician (and former\u00a0Novice) license test to be incredibly educational; especially with regard to radio propagation and basic electronic principles.<\/p>\n

Everyone should support their amateur radio clubs who actively hone their emergency communication skills. As the ARRL often quotes: “When all else fails…amateur radio.”<\/a>\u00a0Even if you don’t have a license, amateur radio clubs welcome visitors. You can find a fairly comprehensive list of amateur radio clubs (in the US) via the ARRL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Click here for a list of amateur radio organizations worldwide<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, John Drake, who shares this excellent article from ARS Technica: “On Saturday, Nepal was shaken by a massive earthquake that registered a 7.8 on the Richter scale, causing widespread destruction in areas of dense population, and preventing aid workers from reaching more isolated villages in the mountainous regions. As […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8,545,3],"tags":[389,2011,4102,3798,3797],"class_list":["post-13075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","category-ham-radio","category-news","tag-amateur-radio","tag-arrl","tag-ham-radio","tag-nepal","tag-nepal-earthquake-amateur-radio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-3oT","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13061,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/04\/listening-to-the-nepal-emergency-amateur-radio-nets\/","url_meta":{"origin":13075,"position":0},"title":"Listening to the Nepal Emergency Amateur Radio Nets","author":"Thomas","date":"April 27, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"My pal,\u00a0@K7al_L3afta, recently posted the following recording of the\u00a0Nepal emergency amateur radio net via Twitter: https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/k7al_l3afta\/nepal-emergency-amateur-radio-net-14205-khz He also recorded this short segment relaying that A65DR is alive and well: https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/k7al_l3afta\/paul-a65dr-is-alive-and-safe-nepal-emergency-amateur-radio-net-14205-khz @K7al_L3afta is using a PL-660 in an RFI-heavy, urban environment in Morocco. Even knowing some of these operators are using\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Nepal-Earthquake-Map","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Nepal-Earthquake-Map.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Nepal-Earthquake-Map.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Nepal-Earthquake-Map.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13072,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/04\/air-and-bbc-design-programming-for-post-earthquake-nepal\/","url_meta":{"origin":13075,"position":1},"title":"AIR and BBC design programming for post-earthquake Nepal","author":"Thomas","date":"April 28, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: RMbiz) MUMBAI: In the wake of recent earthquake that affected Nepal and India, All India Radio (AIR) and British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) have designed special programming for affected areas of Indo-Nepal border and Nepal respectively. AIR is also transmitting services through their External Services Division (ESD). AIR stations in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"SX-99-Dial","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/SX-99-Dial-1024x192.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/SX-99-Dial-1024x192.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/SX-99-Dial-1024x192.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13077,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/04\/bbc-shortwave-frequencies-and-schedule-for-nepal-earthquake-relief\/","url_meta":{"origin":13075,"position":2},"title":"BBC shortwave frequencies and schedule for Nepal earthquake relief","author":"Thomas","date":"April 29, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: BBC Media Centre press release) BBC World Service broadcasts Lifeline programmes in Nepal In response to the aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal, the BBC World Service is now broadcasting additional programming on shortwave in both Nepalese and in English. BBC Media Action - the BBC's international development charity\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Nepal-Earthquake-Map","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Nepal-Earthquake-Map.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Nepal-Earthquake-Map.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Nepal-Earthquake-Map.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13354,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/05\/community-stations-provide-lifeline-of-info-in-post-quake-nepal\/","url_meta":{"origin":13075,"position":3},"title":"Community stations provide lifeline of info in post-quake Nepal","author":"Thomas","date":"May 28, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: BBC Monitoring) Community radio stations in earthquake-hit Nepal have become a crucial provider of information \u2013 in fact, the only source in places where newspapers do not reach and internet service does not exist. Many of the stations are operating from tents after their permanent buildings were destroyed in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Nepal-Earthquake-Map","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Nepal-Earthquake-Map.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Nepal-Earthquake-Map.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Nepal-Earthquake-Map.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19495,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/when-everything-else-fails-amateur-radio-will-still-be-there-and-thriving\/","url_meta":{"origin":13075,"position":4},"title":"“When everything else fails, amateur radio will still be there\u2014and thriving”","author":"Thomas","date":"June 18, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: ARS Technica) by Rupert Goodwins It\u2019s a good time to be technical. Maker communities are thriving around the world, tools and materials to create and adapt are cheaper and more powerful now than ever, and open source hardware, software, and information mean that if you can think it, you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Emergency Preparedness"","block_context":{"text":"Emergency Preparedness","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/emergency-preparedness\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"IMG_6686","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/IMG_6686.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/IMG_6686.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/IMG_6686.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/IMG_6686.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":58898,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/02\/ars-technica-200-foot-am-radio-tower-disappears-halting-alabama-station-broadcast\/","url_meta":{"origin":13075,"position":5},"title":"ARS Technica: “200-foot AM radio tower disappears, halting Alabama station broadcast”","author":"Thomas","date":"February 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post contributors who've shared this story from a variety of sources. The following article comes from ARS Technica and was shared by Mark Hist: 200-foot AM radio tower disappears, halting Alabama station broadcast A 200-foot AM radio tower has been missing for at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/tower-closeup-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/tower-closeup-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/tower-closeup-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/tower-closeup-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13075"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13075\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}