Welcome to Rick Donaldson’s continuing series of “Prepping” for Amateur Radio operators.
Views are those of Rick Donaldson. Excerpts taken from “Ham Radio for Preppers.”
Accessed on 18 January 2026, 2244 UTC.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQfBQJGxFxdFXXCJRfdmNMpBplV
Please check email link or scroll down to read your selections. Thanks for joining us today.
Russ Roberts (KH6JRM).
https://hawaiiarrlnews.com and https://simplehamradioantennas.blogspot.com.
Article includes two short videos.
Throughout human history, both recorded and pre-history, there have been natural disasters. Humans themselves have created disasters. On April 16, 1947 in Texas City, Texas, a fire started on a ship. A while later, the explosion could be heard miles away. Nearly 500 people died immediately in the blast. It is considered one of the worst man-made disasters on record. Amateur Radio appears in the historical records not to have been involved, but 1947 was still the days of vacuum tube radios, high power was required, and mobile stations weren’t yet a “thing”. There was a telephone strike at the time, and this exacerbated the issue of communications and getting help. I can only surmise that had there been Hams present, or something more than a rudimentary Civil Defense structure in those days, more lives might have been saved. Having been admonished a few days ago about how bad the “Prepper Mental Condition” is, I couldn’t help but wonder WHY someone would say such a thing. I’ve never been associated with “kooks”. I was in the military, where “preparedness” is a true way of life and a mind set. Instead of stepping into the realm of psychological malfunctions, news media and journalism mindsets to characterize a particular subject as “mentally unstable”, I take a different course. The course I am plotting on my charts below isn’t why “preppers aren’t kooks”, but rather why prepping, being prepared for disasters, being ready to help your fellow humans, family, friends and neighbors is nothing more than a common sense, human condition that dates back to prehistory. Below, you will find a list of various disasters, mostly naturally occuring, where Amateur Radio came into play, where Hams from many different places “prepped beforehand” (making them PREPPERS) and came to the aid of other humans in an effort to save lives, property and stem the tide of disaster. I leave YOU, dear readers, to make up your own minds, form your own opinions, and above all, to learn something you might never have known before. Before we wander into the details, however, I want to mention one last disaster that was prehistoric. The asteroid that hit the Yucatan Peninsula 66 million years ago. The results were devastating for the flora and fauna that lived here at the time. Suffice it to say, ham radio, rocket ships, multi-billion dollar corporations, or governments, had they existed at the time, would have had no effect on the mitigation of that disaster. I’m speaking of the asteroid that destroyed the planet, the dinosaurs and 99% of all lifeforms that existed at the time. Our time on this world is limited, and perhaps we will have no control over the ending, but we can consider all the things over which we do have control, and prepare for the worst–before it happens. THAT is “prepping”. Hurricanes Hurricanes represent one of the most frequent natural disasters where amateur radio operators have played a pivotal role, often stepping in when cellular and landline infrastructure fails due to high winds, flooding, and power outages. Their networks facilitate coordination of relief efforts, health and welfare checks, and real-time reporting to agencies like the National Hurricane Center. – Hurricane Katrina (2005, Gulf Coast, including Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama): This Category 5 storm caused widespread devastation, with over 1,800 fatalities and massive infrastructure collapse. Amateur radio operators, through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and other groups, provided critical communications for over a thousand volunteers, coordinating rescue operations and relaying messages when all other systems failed. This was noted as one of the largest U.S. amateur radio responses in history.[1][2][3] – Hurricane Maria (2017, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands): As a Category 4 hurricane, it knocked out nearly all power and communications across Puerto Rico, leading to thousands of deaths and prolonged recovery. Ham radio operators established emergency nets, relaying vital information for the Red Cross, FEMA, and local authorities, including health checks and supply requests, serving as the primary communication link for days.[4][5][6] – Hurricane Helene (2024, Southeastern U.S., including Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina): This storm caused catastrophic flooding and power outages affecting millions. Amateur radio enthusiasts distributed handheld radios to isolated communities, fielded requests for medications, and coordinated reopenings of essential services like grocery stores, bridging gaps in cellular coverage.[7][8][9] Earthquakes Earthquakes often disrupt power grids and communication lines, creating “donut holes” in data where traditional systems fail. Amateur radio operators provide on-the-ground reports of shaking intensity, damage assessments, and coordination for emergency services. – Loma Prieta Earthquake (1989, San Francisco Bay Area, California): A magnitude 6.9 quake that collapsed sections of highways and caused 63 deaths. Ham radio operators activated emergency nets, providing vital links for hospitals, fire departments, and relief centers, relaying damage reports and coordinating rescues during the initial chaos.[10][11][12] – Northridge Earthquake (1994, Los Angeles Area, California): This magnitude 6.7 event resulted in 57 deaths and extensive infrastructure damage. Amateur radio groups supported hospitals and emergency operations centers by handling overflow communications, including patient transfers and supply requests when phone lines were down.[13][14][15] Floods Flooding can isolate communities by submerging roads and knocking out power, making amateur radio essential for relaying water level data, evacuation needs, and welfare messages. – Northwest U.S. Floods (1997, Pacific Northwest, including Washington and Oregon): Heavy rains led to widespread flooding, displacing thousands. Ham radio operators assisted in coordinating evacuations and providing real-time river level reports to the National Weather Service, filling gaps in official communications.[16][17] – Midwest Floods (1993, Central U.S., including Missouri and Iowa): Known as the “Great Flood of 1993,” it affected nine states and caused billions in damage. Amateur radio networks supported Red Cross shelters by maintaining communications when phone systems failed, relaying supply needs and health updates.[18][19][20] Tornadoes Tornadoes strike suddenly, often damaging localized infrastructure. Ham radio operators, including storm spotters, provide immediate ground truth reports and assist in post-event coordination. As a Storm Spotter with the Skywarn group in Colorado, my wife and I not only spotted and reported on many storms and tornadoes unseen by the Doppler Radar(due to mountains and terrain in Colorado) we also storm chased with many others to take images and warn of dangers approaching small towns on the Eastern Plains of Colorado. We chased for 20 years on and off, and made a difference. We were in communication with our net control station on the VHF radio, as well as the National Weather Service in Pueblo Colorado while mobile on the plains. It was a rewarding experience. – Joplin Tornado (2011, Joplin, Missouri): An EF5 tornado killed 158 people and destroyed much of the city. Amateur radio operators established links between hospitals in Joplin and Springfield, facilitating patient transfers and emergency communications when local systems were overwhelmed.[21][22][23] – Northeastern U.S. Tornado Outbreak (1985, Including Ohio and Pennsylvania): A series of tornadoes caused 90 deaths across multiple states. Ham radio operators maintained communication lines for affected areas, aiding in search and rescue and power restoration efforts during the aftermath.[24][25][26] Wildfires Wildfires can rapidly destroy communication towers and power lines in remote areas. Amateur radio provides flexible, portable networks for fire command posts and evacuation coordination. I was present and operating during the Hayman fire, Waldo Canyon, as well as one not listed below, the Black Forest fires in Colorado. – Northern California Wildfires (2017, Including the Tubbs and Atlas Fires): These fires killed 44 and burned over 245,000 acres. Ham radio operators bridged gaps in cellular service, supporting Red Cross distribution centers and providing VHF/UHF links for incident command.[27][28][29] – Maui Wildfires (2023, Lahaina, Hawaii): The deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century, with 102 fatalities. Amateur radio groups set up emergency stations to exchange vital information, coordinating relief in areas where cellular sites were destroyed.[30][31][32] – Hayman Fire (2002, Colorado): Ignited on June 8, 2002, this blaze burned over 138,000 acres in the Pike National Forest, becoming Colorado’s largest wildfire at the time and forcing evacuations. Amateur radio operators responded within hours, providing emergency communications support to firefighters and incident management teams during suppression efforts.[33][34][35] – Fourmile Canyon Fire (2010, Colorado): Starting on September 6, 2010, near Boulder, this fire scorched over 6,000 acres, destroying 169 homes and prompting massive evacuations. Boulder County ARES members assisted with voice, ATV, and packet communications between fire units, the incident command post, emergency operations center, and Red Cross shelters, handling requests for additional resources amid overwhelmed systems.[36][37][38] – High Park Fire (2012, Colorado): Beginning June 9, 2012, in Larimer County, this fire consumed 87,000 acres, killed one person, and razed 259 homes. ARES volunteers, including about 40 operators, set up portable repeaters, relayed messages from fire lines to command posts, and supported Red Cross communications, filling coverage gaps in rugged terrain.[39][40][41] – Waldo Canyon Fire (2012, Colorado): From June 23 to July 10, 2012, near Colorado Springs, this fire burned 18,247 acres, destroyed 346 homes, and caused two fatalities. Ham radio operators from RACES and Pikes Peak ARES provided round-the-clock communications at emergency operations centers, shelters, and for mutual-aid responders, including relaying verified information to alleviate overloaded cell systems.[42][43][44] – Cameron Peak Fire (2020, Colorado): Ignited on August 13, 2020, this became Colorado’s largest wildfire by area, burning nearly 209,000 acres in Larimer County and forcing evacuations amid challenging terrain. While primary communications relied on modern networks like FirstNet, amateur radio operators contributed to broader emergency response efforts, including support for Red Cross volunteers and situational awareness in affected communities.[45][46][47] – Marshall Fire (2021, Colorado): On December 30, 2021, high winds drove this urban wildfire through Boulder County, destroying nearly 1,000 homes and becoming the most destructive in state history by structures lost. ARES activated quickly, providing on-site communications and situation reports at three evacuation centers to support relief operations.[48][49][50] Blizzards and Winter Storms Severe winter weather can bury infrastructure under snow and ice, isolating regions. Ham radio operators often integrate with weather spotter networks to report conditions and support emergency services. – Blizzard of 1978 (Northeastern U.S., Including Massachusetts and Rhode Island): This storm dumped up to 4 feet of snow, stranding thousands. Amateur radio provided essential links for police and fire departments, relaying medical emergencies and supply requests amid immobilized official channels.[51][52][53] – Northeast Ice Storm (1998, Including New York, Maine, and Vermont): Freezing rain caused widespread power outages affecting millions. Ham radio operators relayed precipitation and damage reports to the National Weather Service, serving as a critical backup when telephone services failed.[54][55][56] This list highlights a diverse range of events, drawing from documented historical accounts. Amateur radio’s involvement underscores its reliability as a decentralized, resilient system, often formalized through organizations like ARES and the ARRL. For further reading, the ARRL’s public service archives provide extensive timelines of such deployments. References (List of URLs) 1. https://transition.fcc.gov/ 2. https://mst.rice.edu/PHYS501/ 4. https://www.arrl.org/puerto- 5. https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/ 6. http://www.arrl.org/hurricane- 7. https://www.arrl.org/news/ham- 10. https://www.lparc.org/home2 11. https://www.sfchronicle.com/ 16. https://www.worldradiohistory. 17. https://www.worldradiohistory. 18. https://digitalcommons.usf. 19. https://www.facebook.com/ 20.
22. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ 25. https://www.facebook.com/ 26. 28. https://www.arrl.org/news/ 31. https://www.facebook.com/ 32. https://amrron.com/2023/08/10/ 33. https://www.eham.net/article/ 34. https://www.arrl.org/news/ 35. https://hazards.colorado.edu/ 36. https://www.arrl.org/news/ 38. https://coloradosun.com/2024/ 40. https://www.arrl.org/news/ 43. https://www.arrl.org/news/ 44. https://www.fema.gov/node/ 45. https://www.facebook.com/ 47. https://www.fema.gov/node/ 49. https://k6mtv.org/BCARES-AAR- 50. https://www.arrl.org/ 51. https://wingding.tv/blizzard- 53. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ 55. https://www.facebook.com/ 56. https://www.weather.gov/media/
© 2026 Rick Donaldson
|
Discover more from Hawaii ARRL News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.