When disaster strikes and modern communication systems collapse, one technology consistently proves its worth: amateur radio. Known affectionately as “ham radio,” this decades-old technology continues to be the backbone of emergency communications worldwide. Amateur radio operates under the motto “When all else fails, Ham Radio,” a phrase that embodies the unwavering commitment of these operators to public service, especially during emergencies.
Why Ham Radio Shines in Emergencies
During catastrophic events, our modern communication infrastructure often becomes the first casualty. Cell towers lose power, fiber optic cables get severed, and internet services go dark. During major emergencies in Josephine County, Oregon, “the one non-redundant fiber optic cable connecting Grants Pass with the rest of the world had been severed by a landslide caused by the rain.” When these systems fail, ham radio operators step into the breach.
“We don’t need modern technology for amateur radio,” explains Dan Gitro, a licensed amateur radio operator. “We need a battery, a generator, something to power a radio and you can have communication anywhere in the world.” This simplicity is ham radio’s greatest strength—it requires minimal infrastructure and can operate independently of commercial power grids.
Recent Real-World Examples
Hurricane Helene: A Testament to Ham Radio’s Value
Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact in 2024 provided a stark reminder of ham radio’s critical importance. In the hardest-hit Asheville, North Carolina area, “homes and entire towns have been swept away by flood waters and mudslides” with “widespread devastation [that] has damaged the power grid and roads, and many residents are without cell phone service and other utilities.”
Amateur radio operators “stepped in to establish emergency communication channels. They provided real-time updates on storm conditions and damage reports to authorities and the public.” In North Carolina, ham operators used repeaters on Mount Mitchell to coordinate road closures and relief efforts when traditional communications were completely down.
Hurricane Maria: 98% Communication Loss
The 2017 Hurricane Maria disaster in Puerto Rico demonstrated ham radio’s unique capabilities on a massive scale. “Puerto Rico lost 98% of its communications. Ham radio operators helped restore lifelines by using HF radios, Winlink digital systems, and simple dipole antennas, relaying health and welfare messages to the mainland.” When virtually all modern communication infrastructure was destroyed, amateur radio provided the only reliable link to the outside world.
Hurricane Katrina: The Gold Standard Response
“The largest disaster response by U.S. amateur radio operators was during Hurricane Katrina” where “more than a thousand ham operators from all over the U.S. converged on the Gulf Coast in an effort to provide emergency communications assistance. Subsequent Congressional hearings highlighted the Amateur Radio response as one of the few examples of what went right in the disaster relief effort.”
How Ham Radio Emergency Networks Operate
Amateur radio emergency communications operate through several organized networks that train year-round for disaster response:
ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)
ARES “is an emergency-communications organization operated by the ARRL and consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.” ARES members have responded to major disasters including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Michael.
RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service)
RACES “is an emergency-communications service that operates under the auspices of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).” This service provides amateur radio communications for government agencies during declared emergencies.
Partnership with Major Organizations
Many national organizations have formal agreements with amateur radio groups, recognizing their critical role in emergency response. These partnerships ensure that when disaster strikes, ham radio operators can seamlessly integrate with professional emergency services.
Getting Started: Your Path to Emergency Preparedness
Licensing Requirements
“Start with the Technician Class license, which gives you access to VHF/UHF bands ideal for local emergency comms. Want to talk across states or help in wider-area disasters? Aim for your General or Amateur Extra Class license.” The good news is that “The FCC’s new licensing requirements have been simplified and now only require you to pass a single 35-question written exam; no Morse code required.”
Essential Equipment
“Start small with a handheld radio (HT). Many are battery-powered and charge via USB-C. Expand as needed to mobile radios or HF gear, depending on the groups and scenarios you join.” For local communications, “make sure you have a radio that covers the 2-meter band and 70CM ham bands, these types of radios will usually cover 136-174 MHz & 400-480 MHz FM, where you can find everything from local fire and police, weather radio, and of course the ham bands and repeater networks.”
Training and Preparation
Beyond getting licensed, operators should “take part in nets, learn to relay messages, and participate in public service events.” Many ham operators also pursue structured training through FEMA’s Independent Study courses and participate in multi-agency drills that simulate large-scale disaster scenarios.
Beyond the Big Disasters: Everyday Emergency Value
Ham radio’s value extends far beyond major disasters. “If you’re hiking and misplace your cell phone, you can use a ham radio to communicate with your family and let them know you’re ok. If your car battery dies and you’re out of cell range, a ham radio can help you communicate and get help.”
During Hurricane Helene, individual stories highlighted this personal value. One woman used ham radio communications to safely navigate around road closures: “I was listening to the ham radio, writing down every single street that they could take… A lot of reports were coming over the air saying ‘this road’s closed.'” This allowed her family to safely reach relatives and get the reassurance they desperately needed.
Government Recognition and Support
The importance of amateur radio in emergencies is gaining renewed government recognition. The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act of 2025 was recently re-introduced in Congress, aimed at removing barriers that prevent ham radio operators from installing necessary antennas. As Senator Wicker noted, “Mississippians should have access to every possible means of warning for natural disasters, including amateur radio operators. In an emergency, those warnings can mean the difference between life and death.”
Recent local government actions reinforce this support. Angelina County Commissioners recently approved a new ham radio system for disaster preparedness, with Judge Keith Wright stating: “You’ve got to have options, and that is an option that when everything else goes down, this still works.”
The Technology Behind the Reliability
What makes ham radio so reliable when other systems fail? Unlike commercial communications that depend on complex infrastructure networks, ham radio operates on basic principles of radio wave propagation. Operators can use simple antennas, battery power, and even solar charging to maintain communications across vast distances.
“HF (high frequency) radios can communicate over long ranges, reaching cross-country and even around the world” while “VHF (very high frequency) is meant for the outdoors” and “UHF (ultra-high frequency) radios work both indoors and outdoors and can penetrate both concrete and steel.” This flexibility allows operators to adapt their communications to specific emergency scenarios.
Looking Forward: Ham Radio’s Continued Relevance
In our increasingly connected world, some might question whether an “old-fashioned” technology like ham radio still matters. Recent disasters provide a resounding answer. “Amateur radio technology may look out of date but it continues to function where other forms of communication is out of commission.”
As one emergency coordinator observed during Hurricane Helene: “As I mentioned earlier, I’m a big advocate for amateur (ham) radio, and it’s not just because I enjoy the hobby. During Hurricane Helene, ham radio operators played a critical role in coordinating communications services and relaying vital information when all other systems failed.”
Your Next Steps
The evidence is clear: when disaster strikes, amateur radio provides a lifeline when all other communications fail. Whether you’re interested in emergency preparedness, community service, or simply want to ensure you can communicate during the next major storm, getting your ham radio license is one of the most practical steps you can take.
Thousands of licensed amateurs participate in emergency communication efforts each year, “ranging from local drills to international disaster response.” By joining their ranks, you’re not just preparing for personal emergencies—you’re becoming part of a worldwide network dedicated to helping others when they need it most.
The amateur radio community operates on a simple but powerful principle: when everything else fails, we’re here to help. In a world where disasters seem increasingly frequent and severe, that promise has never been more important.
