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	What Do You Know About HAM Radios? Patricia Yuen San Francisco Fire Department NERT Coordinator This is a story about a gentleman in his late 50’s, who introduced himself to me with a smile, ten months ago, at a Chinatown Disaster Preparedness Conference. He asked me, “What do you know about HAM radios? Can I meet with you?”. I did not know much about HAM radios, then. I had seven days under my belt as the new NERT Program Coordinator for SF.
I knew the plan. Ham Radio operators at NERT staging areas will communicate with the Emergency Response Districts (ERDs) via HAM Radio. My knowledge was to say at the very most “limited”. We exchanged business cards, and within a week, I received a letter at the office requesting a chance to meet. Our meeting was scheduled several weeks later and here is what happened.
	I was greeted by the same smile as he introduced himself again. Except this time, it was hard to get a word in edge wise, as he excitedly talked about the need for more HAM Radio operators throughout the city, and for his neighborhood, especially. He has 42 years experience with HAM radios, and holds the highest operator class license, EXTRA. His knowledge of Morse code is at the very least, 20 wpm, in order to achieve this type of license.
Only ten percent of all U.S. amateurs ever make it to this level. He offered to administer the test, so that there would be more HAM radio operators available, in case of a disaster. I offered to find him the participants. In class#5 of our NERT training sessions, participants had the opportunity to sign up for a Ham Cram course, after an introduction to Ham radios. Nine NERT training sessions later, over a course of four months, 50 people signed up for the Ham Cram course.
	Thirty-five people actually showed up to the Ham Cram session, held June 10^th, 2000, at the fire department’s Division of Training facility from 9AM – 5PM. Men and women, of all ages and various backgrounds, came to earn their license. There were 483 multiple-choice questions to study, (35) thirty-five of which, would be selected to be on the test. To earn a novice class license, (26) twenty-six questions need to be answered correctly. After taking the test, results were returned immediately. 96% of the participants passed the test and earned his/her license, including me. The license is good for 10 years.
Our group met again, two weeks later, to go over the basic parts of a Ham Radio. From here, people choose whether or not to buy their own Ham radio, to operate and become proficient, and take more tests to earn higher operator licenses. Some choose to utilize their radio as a hobby, to talk leisurely with friends. Others see the need for it to provide communications in times of emergency or disaster. Of course, it always helps to have a resource to turn to. The Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) is a volunteer Ham Radio Operator group, working for the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Service. They are a great resource for beginning Hams to learn how to use their radios.


The SFFD NERT Training Program will continue its effort to do a HAM Cram session twice a year, at the end of Spring and at the end of Fall, with hopes of more people taking on the role as Ham radio operators. This man, who wishes not to be named and presents himself quietly with that smile, is taking an active role to ensure that our city makes a quick recovery after a disaster. We face tomorrows challenges by preparing ourselves, our families, and our neighborhoods, today. NERT training celebrates its 10^th year anniversary in October 2000. We have trained over 10,000 people with the basic skills they need to survive for the first 72 hours after a disaster. Come join us at the Moscone Center on October 9^th, as the San Francisco Fire Department , sponsors an Emergency Preparedness Fair which spotlights its NERT Program, as well as all the city’s emergency response organizations.


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