September 11, 2001 awakened Americans to a new sense of urgency regarding terrorism and heightened consciousness toward the many vulnerabilities to which our nation is exposed; virtually overcoming the "it can't happen here" syndrome. With this awakening, there is added focus on "contingency plans." Whether a run on duct tape or plastic window liners, this heightened state of alert prevails. With that train of thought, the following is directed to our abilities to deal with certain disaster related contingencies using capabilities that have existed for a century preparing us toward planning and sustaining a network of vital emergency communications. That capability is Amateur Radio. Amateur radio has been around since the turn of the 20th century. Moreover, it is the authentic "wireless" network (before satellites) that has not varied in its dependability and effectiveness for over ten decades. Most of the natural disasters; floods, hurricanes, tornados, etc. (plus the recent terrorist attack) during the last century have enlisted the assistance of amateur (or "ham"); radio to maintain vital and critical communications where normal infrastructures have been disabled. One may ask the Red Cross or like organizations about the voluntary roles of Amateur Radio during the most catastrophic times.

        What may not be known or fully appreciated is the amount of personal time and resources invested by a few hundred thousand amateur radio operators over the United States (and surrounding territories) to maintain this network of communications dedicated free of charge to public safety. Thousands of dollars in equipment; transmitters, receivers, antennas, electricity generators, etc., to sustain a network of "stand alone" communications; one that will work during the most severe conditions.

        Loudoun County, Virginia has, for several years, enjoyed the presence of amateur radio featuring the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group. With some 90 members strong involving amateurs from ages 15 to over 80, the Loudoun Group is very active in assisting several special service and club events each year. And it is always there for emergencies. Each year the group, along with all amateur radio groups in the United States and Canada, exercise their collective capabilities. These "Field Day" events are duly recorded and reviewed for opportunities for improvement. However, notwithstanding the positive potential benefits of this essentially "contingency" service provided to the county of Loudoun and surrounding areas, problems of maintaining the desired states of readiness, still carries an omnipresent dilemma. The annual ":Field Day" conducted under the rules of the National Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) requires dedicated space for setting up operating sites; erecting antennas and placement of generators and radio equipment. In the past such areas have been provided "gratis" by city/county jurisdictions. More recently, the event has been relegated to a member's farm or isolated locations known only to participating members of the group; mostly due to prohibitive "entry fees" or liability insurance cost associated with access to public venues. Quite naturally, such added costs place an added financial burden on this non-profit voluntary group dedicated to providing substantial emergency benefit to the surrounding community and the public at large under most trying conditions. Thus the question arises, should not the community and public re-assess and recognize the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group as a critical public asset among their midst and consequently ensure accommodation within the community where its annual field day (show-and-tell) of capabilities can be witnessed by the community at large, enabling an otherwise unaware public to a critical service capability always on call.

        Jim Banks, WØMAZ
Loudoun Amateur Radio Group

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