These days, where cell phone coverage stretches across the globe, it's hard to imaging not reaching for your phone in an emergency. But if a disaster strikes, cell phone coverage might be hampered or even out completely. Draper City leaders realize that if something like that happens they will need to be ready for it, and that's where HAM amateur radio comes in.

"It is critical to have communications during an emergency, and amateur radio will be necessary to the success of that communication," said Draper Police Department Officer Eric Braegger, who works with the emergency preparedness committee.

He said at one time they had more than 50 residents who had amateur radio licenses and would check in with the city monthly. Since that time, it's dwindled down to less than five. Braegger wants to get those numbers back up again and make them a part of the city's emergency plan.

read more

My Thoughts:

I just got done reading a book called  "One Second After" which is about a small town surviving after an EMP attack.  One of the big problems was communication, HAM radios were vital to survival in this book.

Coincidence?