How ham radio endures

Homeland Security tries to get local first responders to join the SHARES emergency radio network.[1] This is 5 HF channels at 5 MHz, and some more around 15 MHz. They test on Wednesdays around noon. Transmission is voice or PACTOR. It's ham-type technology for government emergency response.

Although many local first responders are not on this net, the USCG, military, and Homeland Security monitor it. So it's a way to reach U.S. Government resources in emergencies. This isn't something you access with a handheld, since it requires at least a long-wire antenna. You can get hundreds or thousands of miles of range. The idea is to have something that can get through from a large disaster area.

[1] https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/programs/shared-resourc...

[2] https://ema.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/files/SHARES_Spectru...

Do you have a link that describes the equipment, for those of us who don't yet understand what a long wire antenna is?

Having been in the WNC hurricane area, I have a newfound interest in this stuff.

At 5MHz you have a wavelength of approximately 60m. So for a dipole antenna (the most basic) you'd need approximately 30m of wire.

You'd have a length of coax cable going to the centre point of the antenna, so pair of 15m wires extending from each side.

Getting your amateur radio license covers this in more detail.

Dave Casler has a bunch of useful videos on things like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18-6sJHk9hU