📡 Back to the Airwaves in the Digital Age
It might sound old-school, but in Onalaska, Livingston, and surrounding parts of Polk County, a growing number of people are dusting off their antennas and rediscovering the world of ham radio — not as a hobby, but as a lifeline.
Why? Because in times of crisis, cell towers fail, the internet goes down, and power grids get overloaded. But ham radio? It keeps broadcasting.
⚠️ What’s Driving the Ham Radio Comeback?
- Hurricane Season & Storm Outages
After back-to-back storms and rolling blackouts, many residents are looking for ways to stay connected when the lights go out. - Inconsistent Cell Signal in Rural Polk County
Many homes in Lake Livingston Village, Moscow, and Indian Springs still struggle with reliable mobile service — ham radio fills that gap. - Community Safety & Emergency Response
Local ham radio operators often serve as the first line of communication during floods, fires, and downed 911 systems.
🧭 How Ham Radio Works
Unlike CB radios, ham radio (aka amateur radio) allows for:
- Long-range communication (even international)
- Private call signs issued by the FCC
- Direct connection via repeaters like the one near Lake Livingston Dam
🔗 Learn how ham radio works – ARRL Guide
👥 Local Ham Radio Groups in Polk County
- Polk County Amateur Radio Group (PCARG)
Meets monthly in Livingston. Known for coordinating emergency preparedness events and “field day” demonstrations.
🔗 Visit PCARG on Facebook - Trinity Valley ARC – Nearby Affiliate Club
Covers parts of San Jacinto and Trinity counties. Open to beginners and emergency operators.
Many groups also participate in Skywarn Weather Spotting, working directly with the National Weather Service.
🎙️ Getting Started with Ham Radio
You don’t need to be a tech wizard. Here’s how to begin:
- Study for a Technician Class license (entry-level)
- Take a simple written test (35 questions)
- Buy an affordable handheld radio (like a Baofeng or Yaesu for $30–$100)
- Join a local club and get help setting up
🔗 Study Guide & License Info – HamStudy.org
🧠 Why It Matters for Onalaska & Lake Livingston
- During the 2021 winter storm, ham radio kept families connected.
- In hurricane evacuations, it’s used to track roadblocks and outages.
- Some ham radios can even send digital text messages when cell phones are dead.
In short: It’s not just geeky nostalgia — it’s a real safety tool for rural, storm-prone communities like ours.
