When the power goes out for an extended period, like with Hurricane Katrina, gas pumps don’t work, water towers run dry in three days, and phones don’t work, all is not lost.
   Ham radios can run on commercial power, generators or batteries. They can be set up anywhere, and become a key link to communicating between emergency management, Red Cross and others to report damage, request food, medical assistance and more. Amateur radio operators in Butler and Lowndes Counties participated in the state-wide emergency service test conducted by the state emergency management agency Saturday. The exercise scenario involved a 9.2 earthquake with extensive damage to bridges and overpasses.
   “This drill was designed to test the ability of the amateur radio emergency service to communicate and assist EMA during emergency conditions without using commercial power,” said Carol Edwards, emergency coordinator for Lowndes County.
   “Members of the Jim Bell Wireless Association from Lowndes and Butler Counties set up base behind the Fort Deposit fire department. “We operated from our vehicles and participated by checking area bridges and overpasses for structural damage and reported our findings to EMA,” said Bob Overstreet, ham radio operator.
   “When all else fails, ham radio is always there,” said Spencer Edwards, Jim Bell Wireless Association president. “Ham radio operators provide their own equipment to pass communications back and forth. They are all volunteers who want to serve,” he added.
   Anyone interested in ham radio or becoming a ham radio operator may contact Spencer Edwards at 227-4726 for more information.

The Jim Bell Wireless Association presents a check for $250 to sponsor
a Cub Scout Troop in Greenville, AL on Feb. 28, 2006.