Ham Radio Keeps Campbell On the Move:

Herman Campbell doesn't have to read history books about to know about polio, a crippling disease that vaccines have nearly erased from the planet. Born in 1939, when polio was killing thousands, Campbell was 6 years old when he contracted the disease. He was paralyzed from the neck down. Hospitalized for more than six months, Campbell had to learn to crawl and walk again. He developed scoliosis, a curvature of the spine that left him with bouts of respiratory failure, back pain and other problems. Doctors are amazed that Campbell can walk, drive, cut grass and perform other chores. Surgery may help him, but there are no guarantees. "I said, 'I'm not going to be laid up in the bed with surgery, I have to leave my house,'" said Campbell, an Arkansas native. "Ham radio is one of the things that keep me going. "I enjoy ham radio and meeting the people. You'll never meet a nicer group of people in any organization as you will find in ham radio. They're always willing to help." Campbell and members of the Acadiana Amateur Radio Association are among the thousands of hams who will take their equipment outdoors Saturday and Sunday for Field Day. Sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, Field Day is a 24-hour, nationwide event that allows hams to contact as many stations as possible in abnormal conditions. Hams have used their radio gear to help during parades, festivals, marathons and other outdoor events. But for generations, their communications skills have been vital during times of disaster. When electricity, cell phones and internet fail during hurricanes, floods and tornadoes, hams can still communicate worldwide with just a radio and a wire antenna. They work with government and other officials to pass messages in and out of areas cut off from the outside world. Field Day helps hams practice for these emergency situations.

from Ham Radio Times http://ift.tt/2t5wlg2
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