Despite the advent of other mass communications and social media, radio has proven itself to be a resilient and reliable source of information during disasters and other incidents. Listeners rely on their radios to provide up-to-the-minute, detailed and accurate information about what is happening. Locally focused radio is still considered more trustworthy than other media.
Through its nationwide network of ham radio operators, the Amateur Radio Relay League is a valuable resource that can bridge communications gaps during disasters and other incidents. Ham radio operators can act as an information conduit for high priority or lower priority message traffic and help governments and other organizations serve those in need.
About the Author
Professor Lawrence Dietz has more than 30 years of diversified military and commercial sector experience. Dietz retired as a Colonel from the USAR in 2002, having held command and staff assignments in PSYOP and military intelligence to include platoon, company and battalion command. He also served as the Deputy Commander for the NATO PSYOP Task Force (CJICTF) in Bosnia. Specialties include PSYOP, information operations, strategic intelligence and tactical intelligence. His commercial sector experience has included market intelligence, marketing, customer support and legal work dealing with information technology. Professor Dietz is an adjunct faculty member teaching within the Intelligence Studies program at American Military University. You may contact him at Lawrence.Dietz@mycampus.amu.edu.