HAM @ your library!

This LibraryStory was sent to me by David Johansson. A great example of a library working with its community!

Pryor Public Library staff members monitored the progress of severe thunderstorms that produce some tornadoes in about March of 2004 by listening in on the amateur radio [also known as ham radio] storm spotter reports. When Pryor sounded its tornado siren, the public library staff knew right away it was sounding for a tornado in Chouteau Oklahoma that was traveling east. Although that particular tornado appeared to be of minimal concern, the library took precautions as per procedures. Of course, other new tornadoes could be forming anywhere at any time, too. But we felt pretty safe that the known/reported tornadoes were well away from us, and we were relieved at the end of the evening when no other reported tornadoes seemed to threaten the library.

I am both the Library Director, and a licensed amateur radio operator. When the power went out at the library, I informed the CEM officials that power to our building and the traffic signals on our street was out via the ham radio when there was a lull in the spotters' reports, too. Amateur radio operators can make connections when the local phone circuits are jammed, and the power is out. Cell phones may work. But amateur radio communications has worked reliably in many emergencies where the power, local phone lines and the cell phone towers were all out of commission.

Anyone can contact their local Civil Emergency Management offices to learn the frequencies that storm spotters and others use as bad weather develops. Battery operated radios that cover those frequencies used can be purchased to get first hand field reports as they come in, too. The Pryor Public Library listened in on a hand held ham radio transceiver, and we were able to stay informed as information became available. Amateur radio operators can usually make connections when the local phone circuits are jammed, and the power is out. Cell phones may work. But amateur radio communications works reliably in many emergencies where the power, local phone lines and the cell phone towers are all out of commission.

You may be wondering why this story is even being reported several weeks later. Forming a working relationship with local amateur radio operators is a win-win situation. The Pryor Public Library, in conjunction with the Mayes County Amateur Radio Club, will host its second testing session for people that want to earn or upgrade an amateur radio license. A portable radio station will be set up on site that day for people that may not have seen one before, too. In the first testing session over a month ago, a 12 year old girl and a college professor both earned their first licenses. This works out as an excellent program in the meeting room, great publicity for the MCARC and the library, and it benefits the community we serve, too.

The young lady is the daughter of a couple who are both licensed radio operators and trained storm spotters. The college professor is my wife Jane. Now in the event of severe weather, Jane and I can meet on a predetermined frequency if really bad things happen. We can also share other parts of this interesting hobby [ such a Field Day exercises, checking in to local regular on the air meetings, and enjoy learning new things from the people we meet through the hobby]. For instance, Jane learned a lot about a brick she shows her history class every semester. That brick has the phrase "DO NOT SPIT ON SIDEWALK" cast in it. While visiting with a dump truck driver in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she learned that the driver is an avid brick collector of bricks. He knew that the Coffeyville Brick maker put those words on every third or forth brick as a way to help prevent the spread of TB in America, and where Jane could find a lot more information about the person who initiated the program, etc.