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That
is the first thing we think after an earthquake,
then we wonder if it was local or did Los
Angeles just crumble to rubble?
Ham
radio features emerging digital modes such as
FT8, Packet and lately SOTA and POTA activations
are the rage, we have new rigs and cool
features, but have we lost sight of the original
purposes of Ham Radio which are public service
and emergency communications? Passing health and
welfare information after an earthquake and
evacuation details during wildfires. All
important stuff and part of what we do as
Hams.
It
is a good time to think about this stuff; there
have been several large magnitude earthquakes in
our hemisphere very recently, a 7.6
magnitude quake hit recently in Mexico,
a 6.7
mag quake off Boca Chica Panama and
recent
volcanoes in Hawaii
makes us wonder if we are next? Are we ready to
help out? Do we know what to do? Can we operate
without power or shelter after a quake, do we
know how to help during wildfires, where to
listen for current information?
The
November meeting features a talk given by Rob
Freeburn K6RJF on the current activities that
ARES and ACS (RACES) are doing and how to get
involved. It is time to think about this stuff,
it's always time to be prepared and have a
plan.
This
will be the first hopefully in a series in
emergency communications topics, hope to see you
there! | 
