Are we the Ham Radio Operators of the 21st Century?

[DoYouEverWonder]

I've been doing this for longer then I care to admit at this point, but I've never been able to really explain what I do to most people. Most people don't even know I do this, not even my mother.

Well finally I realized what we are doing on this site. We have taken the place of the guys back in the last century who were the first ones to be able to communicate with other people from all around the world. Now we do it and we don't even think about it much.

However, this storm as really made us shine in a lot of ways. We are able to collect, sift through and present an enormous amount of info and facts almost as fast as they happen. Even more important we are able to snuff out misinformation faster then speeding bullets and to spred the truth and facts in its place.

This is why we are going to win. We can communicate in ways they never imagined.

[90-percent]

1. America's only hope

is a free and uncensored internet.

If they take that away, we are all cooked geese.

-85%

[LiberalArkie]

2. Are we the Ham Radio Operators of the 21st Century?"

Nope.. Amateur radio does not need servers, and a internet backbone, phone companies, etc.

BTW I am an amateur radio operator. We are also handling a hell of a lot of traffic for all sorts of agencies.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Welcome to DU.

My late uncle was an amateur radio operator for decades. He was thrilled with the internet and stressed how I should always be able to independently communicate if other modes were "shut down".

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. Yes, I understand there are big differences

and the job of a HAM radio operator is very specific, you are an intergral part of a rescue, we are just on the sidelines. And of course if the net goes down we're toast and you are still going.

The comparison was more in regards to our role to communicate information to people all over the world, especially during an emergency like this. We are just monitoring and assisting different aspects of the event. Can you see what I'm trying to get at? Sometimes I have crazy ideas.

[madrchsod]

4. interesting

you just maybe right. the net has shown the ability to get the info to the world. the problem is to get crediable info from the scene and the only way to do that is legs on the ground. wwl and other stations using the web to broadcast has been a revolution in broadcasting.

another interesting devolement was the "united broadcasters of new orleans" they pooled all the resources of alot of stations and broadcast to the middle of the country thru am 870. we heard live reports from the dome,we heard the official press conferences live, and we heard what was really going on.

[Syncronaut Seven]

5. I was thinking CB radio, But you may be right!

;-)

[DoYouEverWonder]

7. CB Radio is probably a better comparison

Can you believe, I've forgotten about CB Radios. I bet the truckers are happier about that.