Amateur radio has provided the inspiration for a new initiative within the Resilient Communications program at the US Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division in the state of Washington. Organizers in Keyport, Washington, are working to use ham radio's reliability as the backup for its emergency communications when there are disruptions to the Internet, computer function or mobile phone services.
Eric Seeley, the division's director of innovation in Keyport, said that the program embraces the technology of ham radio for this purpose and will be establishing a network of licensed hams to make use of amateur radio frequencies when the need arises. Organizers have also been encouraging nearby naval bases to join in their effort.
The Keyport team is reaching beyond the military too. Everyone needs an Elmer, so organizers have contacted local ham radio clubs as well as emergency responders to help with training the new operators to grow the network. Some members of the team have already obtained their GMRS license, for General Mobile Radio Service, but acknowledge that the next step is the FCC's Technician test to become a ham.