Promoting Amateur Radio--The Neighborhood Ham Concept

In Jacksonville, Florida the North Florida Amateur Radio Society in conjunction with Florida Crown ARES is promoting the Neighborhood Ham concept. Instead of limiting our public service activity to sending operators to Red Cross shelters, we are using the unique ability of ham radio to set up quickly in the neighborhood when blackout conditions occur. This has tremendous PR value in view of hurricane preparedness and any effects rom the Y2K bug. We push the angle that the Neighborhood Ham is a valuable resource. All license classes, technician and above may participate. Activity is mainly centered on 2 meters. Minimum requirement for participation is a 2 meter rig, a portable antenna and backup power. Even a mobile installation operating from the car battery meets this requirement. We are aiming to have a ham in each of the 100 or so neighborhoods in the greater Jacksonville area.
If telephones are down and Internet is out, ham radio operators can provide a vital link to access emergency services. A key station is activated from the Duval County EOC so that a ham can provide that vital link. this concept has been a hit with the media. When we pitched it for the first time at the W4IZ Field Day, we got lead story coverage on the local TV news. Hopefully, we can get new people who are mainly interested in public service who see ham radio as a way to serve their neighborhoods and fellow citizens.