During hurricanes and other emergencies if you are in or near the disaster areas, LIMIT CELL PHONE USE. Use Text messages rather than calls if possible, and keep calls short. You can chat with that person later, the guy who needs help needs it now. Text (without attachments) takes only a small fraction of bandwidth of a call. Avoid sending attached pictures, videos and audio files. Just setting up a call takes more resources than even a long text exchange. And web browsing, podcast listening, sending pictures on cellular is even worse. If possible, use texting to say something simple like, “I am fine, you?”.
Non-licensed people using the Ham Bands
There was a question about non-licensed individuals using a ham radio in the ham bands that asked if they could do so to check on relatives during the hurricane. Legally, NO. NOT TO CHECK IN. Simple answer: safety of life, property and NO OTHER WAY TO COMMUNICATE – yes, they can call for help. But not just to say all is well.
This answer written by Jim Jones is more formal but great.
In the future, get them licensed. Here is the regulation, read and understand it, and what you do is between you and the FCC. TITLE 47 CFR Part 97, Section 97.403:
No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radio communication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.
Emergency Frequencies
MONITOR the emergency frequencies if you can. Stay off the emergency frequencies – transmit only if to assist and then be very careful to avoid creating confusion. Note the Government use of the 60 meter band is PRIMARY but it great for interop. (My excerpt from the ARRL Bulletin follows.)
The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz (7268 MHz alternate) and the VoIP Hurricane Net (EchoLink WX_TALK Conference) remain activated. FEMA has announced that channels 1 and 2 of the 60 meter band will be made available, as necessary, beginning September 2 for interoperability between federal government stations and US Amateur Radio stations involved in Hurricane Dorian emergency communications.
Ralph Brandt K3HQI
ARRL EPA Affiliated Club Coordinator