Ham Radio Emergency Station

Here is my emergency ham radio station, deployed in the field behind the Weyers Cave Community Center.  That's the Cave View Farms in the background. 

Every year in June, hams all over the country unplug from the grid, and go out in the field and set up a self-contained portable ham radio station, testing our ability to operate completely without cell towers, landlines, cable, and even the commercial power systems.  Being completely self-contained, we do not rely on any infrastructure.   This is why when an earthquake, hurricane or other disaster devastates an area, usually the first reports out are from a ham radio operator.

When all else fails, ham radio usually works.  With our batteries and solar panels, we contacted stations from Ontario to Puerto Rico, from Maine to Ohio.