Radio For Help

 A classic hobby that's recently shown its necessity here in the Ozarks is getting a makeover, of sorts.

The Federal Communications Commission is dropping its requirement that Ham radio operators know Morse code in the hopes more people will decide to ride the airwaves.

Ham radios play an important role during emergencies.

    If you think about it, all of our modern modes of communication require power, but radios don't require a wire or satellite network, and sending out a signal may only take a battery.

    Given the recent power problems here in the Ozarks, folks may have a better appreciation for what radios can do in case of an emergency.

    As a 14 year-old Ham radio operator, David Beckler helped folks in his home state of Louisiana after a devastating hurricane.

    "In any kind of disaster it's always about getting medical supplies in, relief supplies like food," says Beckler.   

    Since then he's used his skills in a number of disasters, including hurricane Katrina.

    "We were able to get that message from the president to the Mayor of New Orleans, and it was quite exciting," says David.

    But just as David, or Sap as he's known across the air waves, follows disaster, it also seems to follow him.

    "The same thing happened here with the ice storm... we were looking for generators, where the generators were located, how you can pick up food, where you can go to shelters," says Sap.

    Now, despite the usefulness of Morse code, the FCC plans to give Ham radio licenses to those who don't know it.

    But Sap says he's excited about the change because it will allow more operators to get on the air.

    "The Ham community is very vital and we're very dedicated into emergency situations like this," says Sap.

    He also says dropping Morse code may be the best way to keep it alive.

    "Now that they're talking about dropping the code, there's more people on Morse code than ever before," says Sap, which, he says, makes communities like ours safer.

    "With the network of Ham radio operators, just in the Springfield area, there would be ways that we would be able to communicate to the public and get that information out to them," says Sap.

    Ham radio operators work with agencies like the local chapter of the Red Cross and the National Weather Service.

    Sap says he'll be riding the waves and waiting to help whenever someone needs him.

    The new rules for getting an amateur radio operator's license go into effect February 23rd.

    But don't be fooled into thinking it's a piece of cake.

    Sap says you still have to know the technical side of radio.

    Sap has the highest license level.

    He even administers the tests to get your license.

    You can start off with a beginners license and work your way up from there.