Bryan Hoyer Explains the Role 50 Local HAM Operators Are Ready to Play at Any Moment

A CNL2 VIDEO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

If a major catastrophe were to hit the region, the San Juans would be challenged like no other part of the State. And in many scenarios, the estimated 50 licensed HAM radio operators across the islands would potentially be one of the last functioning forms of communication across each of the larger islands, between our islands, and between the islands and the mainland.

One of the more likely calamities is a major earthquake, which could cut the power and/or telecommunications cables that run from the mainland to the San Juans. A disruption of the telecommunications line would instantly reduce Internet access across the islands. A long-term disruption of electrical power would leave cell service running on generators for a while. But there are as many possible major disasters as a Hollywood screenplay writer could imagine.

The HAM operators of the San Juans try to be prepared to snap into action in any of them.

This interesting discussion with Bryan Hoyer, an important coordinator between the local HAMs and the County, is the first of many CNL2 reports on disaster preparedness in the Islands.

Bryan describes how the HAM community stays prepared to spring into action. But he also tells some stories of past successes, including a time when the local HAM network saved a life here.

The local group’s website is here.

This CNL2 video is approximately 32 minutes in duration