"When Other Services Are Knocked Out"

"'Many amateurs have a small hand-held (radio) or it's in a suitcase. All they have to do is drive up a hill, plug it into the car, hang a couple of wires and they're up and talking,' Chain said.

"By 'a couple of wires,' Chain was referring to what's likely the easiest part of owning and operating an amateur radio: the antenna. For instance, as Decker and Noyce explained during the class, almost any material, as long as it can conduct radio waves, can be an effective antenna.

"Chain, who said he specializes in radio systems that allow seamless communication between two or more public safety agencies, described amateur radio as probably the easiest, and most reliable, method of communication during incidents where other services are knocked out."