Ham Radio can save you in an emergency
Filed under
News January 22, 2009
Earlier this year Amateur radio operator Bob Williams, N7ODM, of Bozeman, Montana, heard a faint Morse code signal. The transmission was coming from Glenn Russell Ruby Jr, W7AU, who had just broken his leg in the wilderness. Glen was using a portable radio and Morse code to send out a call for help. Although the signal was very week, Bob was able to pick up Glen’s call for help.
Injured with a broken leg, Glen was able to get out his exact GPS coordinates, and detailed information on his physical condition. He was able to tell Bob who to contact for emergency assistance.
The whole thing started when Glen slipped on a wet rock and broke his leg while hiking in the high Cascades of Western Washington. Once injured Glen’s instincts to survive took over, before even calling for help, he set up his tent, got into some warm clothes, had a snack, and strung up a wire antenna.
Glen then fired up his Ham Radio and put out his call for help. Thanks to his radio, rescue crews were able to locate and rescue Glen.
Keeping a cool head in an emergency can’t hurt as well. Sounds like that, along with good planning, really contributed to his survival. Good for him! Glad he is ok…
That is absolutly awesome, man I need to get into Ham radio. I’m so thankful the guy was saved. I wish the main stream media would put this stuff out, (Perhaps they did, but I didn’t see it, that’s why I say that) It is so encouraging and uplifting.
When I was in the Army, the unit I was in had a radio man, that picked up some “guys” down in SA that needed assistance, they were saved basically the same way. The guy got a bunch of medals and some really great “kudos”, but no one on the outside found out anything, except maybe like I’m telling – generic
Very interesting, but without GPS and maybe some flares he might face some problems.
Great story though – I’ll relate it to my ham friends here in China and refer the website.
73 de Zak VK6BMZ
All very well if you can read and semd morse. The modern new ham has no real interest in morse. My suggestion would to carry a small Motorola radio on the 446 band. There are hundreds and hundreds in use in the UK and Europe. A call for help using RT will more than likely be heard. I will send you some details.
Kind regards
Jack G4AMF