US Coast Guard Auxiliary seeks radio
amateurs
November 3, 2004 -- CQ,
CQ CQ! The US
Coast Guard Auxiliary is looking for
Amateur Radio operators or prospective amateur licensees. "Like every other
emergency based service, the Coast Guard operates every day, in good weather
and in bad," says Wayne Spivak, KC2NJV, of the USCG's National Public Affairs Department.
"We, in the USCG Auxiliary operate whether there is power to operate the normal
modes of communication, such as phones, or whether the weather is bad, and the
normal means of communications are out of service." At times like these, the
Coast Guard and the Auxiliary rely on the Auxiliary Net (AuxNet), a backup
radio network, to maintain communication with both the Auxiliary and the Coast
Guard. In areas where there is no regular Coast Guard presence, the Auxiliary
may rely solely on its AuxNet for communication. In areas with a large USCG
presence, the AuxNet operates in both a support and backup capacity. The USCG
Auxiliary is seeking ham radio volunteers because amateurs "are good
communicators," Spivak says, in particular because of skills they've developed
both in everyday radio operation and participation during emergencies in RACES,
ARES and SKYWARN.
He suggests Amateur Radio and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary are an ideal fit. To
find out more, visit the USCG Auxiliary Public Service Articles
Web site. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is open to all US citizens over the age
of 17. A security background check, paid for by the US Coast Guard, is required
before an applicant is accepted. Visit the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Web site to start
the process.
Page last modified: 12:40 PM, 03 Nov 2004 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2004, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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