When Disaster Strikes, Ham Radio Answers the Call
When a hurricane hits, cell towers fall, and the internet goes dark, who keeps the lines of communication open? In Angelina County, Texas, it’s a dedicated group of volunteers armed with amateur radios.
The Deep East Texas Amateur Radio Club (DETARC) serves as a vital communications lifeline for the Angelina County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). When traditional infrastructure fails, these volunteers step in.
“When all else fails, internet goes down, phones are overloaded, this still works. It’s just radio to radio,” explains Michael Miles, the club’s trustee.
Beyond Voice Communications: Winlink
One of their most powerful tools is Winlink, a system that allows operators to send and receive emails over radio waves without an internet connection. By connecting a computer to a radio, operators can send critical emails to state officials and emergency responders seamlessly.
DETARC’s impact is vast. Founded in 1978, the club has provided essential communications for major emergencies, including the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery effort. Today, they maintain emergency stations at the EOC, local hospitals, and deploy “go-bags” to emergency shelters. They are currently expanding their reach with a new tri-band antenna installation at the local DPS tower, enhancing local, regional, and statewide coverage.
