EmComm
When the phones stop working
Amateur radio is not a replacement for 911.
In any life-threatening emergency, call 911 first. Use radio when normal channels are unavailable, or to support official responders — never instead of them.
Our role
What MarcoHams does in an activation
Keep the repeater available
During severe weather the K5MI repeater on 443.650 is reserved for priority and emergency traffic. Routine conversation stands down.
Report real conditions
Operators relay ground-truth observations — flooding, wind damage, blocked roads, power status — from their own neighborhoods.
Welfare and relay traffic
When circuits are jammed, licensed operators can pass short health-and-welfare messages for neighbors who cannot reach family.
Support served agencies
Trained members work with local emergency management and shelters when requested, following their direction and protocols.
Before the storm
Prepare your station
- Program the repeater now. Save 443.650 with a 141.3 Hz tone plus a simplex channel as a backup.
- Charge everything. Batteries, spares, a 12 V supply and a way to recharge without grid power.
- Write it down. Keep a paper card with frequencies, tones and key contacts in your go-kit.
- Know your antenna plan. Take down what will become a hazard, and have a small, deployable antenna ready afterward.
- Practice weekly. Checking into the Tuesday net is practice — it verifies your radio, your antenna and your voice procedure.
During an activation
- Monitor the repeater; do not transmit unless you have traffic or are called.
- Follow net control's directions exactly — they are managing the frequency.
- Keep transmissions short, factual and free of speculation.
- Report what you can see yourself, not what you heard second-hand.
- Log what you send and receive; times and callsigns matter later.
Want to be part of the response?
Emergency communications work starts with an ordinary license and regular practice. Get licensed, check into the net, and let us know you're interested.