Have at least three ways #hamradio #Skywarn #NatlPrep #RedCross @ARRL

When some folks started in emergency management, there were two ways to get warnings in the community.  One of those was the SIREN, if someone pushed the button and it was working.

Later, SIX ways were identified without even mentioning the SIREN.  

Now, there 10 ways to get warnings.  The photo lists 10.  The photo does not mention ham radio and it should.

Travelers need to have three ways to get warnings.  Ham Radio is a nice fit in that area.  Many local clubs and emergency management agencies include Skywarn programs, including repeaters that automatically alert with the National Weather Service issues a warning.

Now, as a reminder, if you have your three ways on your ONE cellphone, that's OK, until your cellphone is lost, stolen, or broken.  

The American Red Cross has a nice Alexa Skill called "Hurricane Alerts".  Once enabled, the skill allows one to receive alerts from a number of locations in the United States and territories.  It's free.  

Check with the American Radio Relay League for a radio club near you.  Once located, ask the club official for help with the Question "Does the club have a repeater that automatically sends an alarm for weather".  Also, ask if there is a license class.  

There's a Mission Possible statement Mr. Phelps.  Go forth and survive the next disaster.

So you really did not know? #ARRL #hamradio

One of the comments heard regarding a number of issues is "They don't tell me anything" or "How am I supposed to know these things?

The American Radio Relay League members have the ability to subscribe to a number of newsletters sent by email.

After logging into your membership page, changes can be made to the items that are of interest to you.  Check to get reminded about your license expiration.

Choices include:

ARES Letter

ARRL Board meeting agendas and minutes

ARRL Club News - (monthly notification)

ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter)

ARRL Current - (monthly digital notification)

ARRL Instructor/Teacher E-Letter (Radio Waves)

ARRL Legislative Update

ARRL Letter

Division and Section News

IARU E-Letter (International Amateur Radio Union)

Notification of ARRL membership expiration

Notification of license expiration

NTS Letter (National Traffic System monthly news)

It's a really diverse hobby, really #ARRL #hamradio

The Best Hobby on the Planet is a diverse experience. 

Think about your television viewing pleasure. Your choices are over-the-air, streaming with Roku, Amazon Fire, or satellite Dish, etc.

Your AM radio listening has changed to FM and then to streaming. 

The Hobby is even more diverse than that. 

Some of the Hobby like plain old CW, nothing fancy, just a J38 to some vintage gear. There's a club or more for that. 

Still others forgot Code, when they got their No-Code Extra license. For them, it's sideboard or AM or FM on 10 meters. There are clubs for that too. 

Slow scan and fast scan tv interest some. Also, you have quickly observed the pattern. There's clubs for that. 

The interest in emergency communication, public safety, weather, space communication, and network radio operations also have clubs for those activities. 

Then, there's the ARRL. It's a radio club to some, a magazine to others, the best National Organization Representing Amateur Radio to a few. 

Regardless, the diverse hobby requires a diverse organization giving aid and counsel. 

Some people have learned the hard way that THEY are responsible for the operation of their station. That's in CFR Part 97 of the FCC rules. 

 The League, likewise, is responsible for their operation. The RF side is guided by Part 97. The rest comes under the rules governing corporate actions. The reflection in the mirror gets to decide how much or how little to enjoy the Best Hobby on the Planet. You are responsible for that.