New Mexico Emergency Communication Network
March 16, 06 by Iroquois County Amateur Radio ClubNew Mexico funds emergency communication network (Mar 24, 2006) — New Mexico has allocated $500,000 to design, construct and install a statewide Amateur Radio emergency communication network. The money will be allocated to the state Department of Public Safety to buy equipment for Amateur Radio volunteers to use in disasters and emergencies. All of the equipment will be state-owned. Early plans call for the installation of strategically located, interlinked VHF and UHF repeaters to handle both voice and digital communication.
Rep Tom Anderson (R-Bernalillo), KB5YSG, sponsored the funding bill in the 2006 New Mexico legislative session. “After hurricane Katrina, we’ve seen firsthand just how valuable Amateur Radio can be in a disaster,” Anderson said. “The Gulf Coast hurricanes destroyed communications infrastructure and overwhelmed government resources. It was Amateur Radio operators who helped to save the day.” In New Mexico, the potential exists for disastrous wildfires, tornadoes and floods. This year, when range fires broke out near Hobbs, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers provided communication support. Over the past several years, radio amateurs in New Mexico have been called upon to support communication during fires, for severe weather spotting (SKYWARN) and during public service events, and to assist Albuquerque with Hurricane Katrina refugees.–Charlie Christmann, K5CEC
