First, I live nowhere near North Carolina. I have not participated in or contributed to any relief for those poor folks.  However, my wife and Commander in Chief has read about the devastation and aftermath. She has chanced across some media detailing the actual role of amateur radio in the relief.

So, I sent her a video.  One from Ham Radio 2.0 where he covers what Hams are doing to coordinate relief efforts and wellness checks.  Hams provide first responders with up-to-the-minute reports of road conditions. This helps them adjust their routes.  Where not only disaster certified Hams but normal cats like me and you offer what they can. 

These real reports, this truth about the hobby’s work, resonated with her in a way words from me have not.  At 39 years of marriage, I’m often just road noise. 

Jason Johnston, KC5HWB, the host of the YouTube channel Ham Radio 2.0 has finally convinced my wife why clubs need to have weekly repeater nets. They discuss topics like “What to do with leftover Turkey.”  Thanks Jason, Melissa now understands we only sound like morons – that it ain’t really about Turkey.

His video introduced a new perspective. It emphasized the need for nets. It also highlighted the importance of practiced operators to make it work.  That begat conversations about: How do we know if your radios work?  How do you know if you’re doing it right?  What if there’s no Internet?  What if there’s no power?  Who can you talk to? 

Finally, a forum to list all the excuses I make to justify the time and money I spend on the hobby.  I can truthfully answer, “POTA – Honey, that’s why I’m in the parks every weekend.”  I even slipped in, “That three-day POTA rove last month was about testing our emergency capabilities” …  and she nodded.  She nodded!!

All humor aside, it may not be possible to imagine our loved ones, and our homes in the path of this devastation.  I don’t think compassion alone can fully grasp so many lives become so instantly and irrevocably unrecognizable.  Hopes and dreams, and loves and lives are swept away by tidal surge only to reform miles distant as a pile of broken boards, a car door, and the stench of rotted meat.

I’m genuinely proud of the relief amateur radio operators have facilitated.  When all else fails!

And I’m glad my wife can hear other voices explain why it’s so critical I overspend on radio gear and how noble are HER contributions as a POTA Widow.

Hell, I might even check in to the next 2m club net. 

As always,
TNX ES 73
KA5TXN
DitWit