The Importance of Amateur Radio

We've come to rely on commercial telephone companies and, most of the time, our ability to communicate isn't hindered. But when a catastrophic event occurs that affects an entire community, police and fire communications may also go down. A community-wide communication failure may result in loss of life because calls to rescuers are not possible. Fortunately, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods and terrorist attacks like 9/11 are not common but, when such events happen and all other communication modes fail, there is one communication mode that always works . . . amateur radio.

Why does amateur radio work when commercial and government systems don't?

Amateur radio systems do not rely on commercial communications systems. Each amateur has their radio, antenna and power supply and is able to communicate with other amateurs within seconds of a community-wide communications failure.

How do I join the Bloomington Communcations Group?

If you are a licensed amateur radio operator and are interested in joining the Bloomington Communications Group, please complete the form on the contact page; include your call sign in the comment field. All BCG members undergo a background check by the Bloomington Police Department.

Contact

If you are interested in becoming an amateur radio operator, please visit the Amateur Radio Association of Bloomington's website. Amateur radio operators are licensed by the FCC and must pass a written exam but are no longer required to pass a morse code exam to be licensed.

If you are a licensed amateur radio operator and are interested in joining he Bloomington Communications Group, please complete the form below and include your call sign in the comment field. All BCG members undergo a background check by the Bloomington Police Department. All fields are required.

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