Volunteer amateur radio operators serve their communities.  
 
 
The TULSA REPEATER ORGANIZATION, an amateur radio organization, was founded in 1967 to serve our community through amateur radio communications. With about 150 members who live and work in the Green Country and greater-Tulsa areas, TRO provides a variety of communications efforts that meet public service needs.  
 
Along with the privileges of becoming a licensed amateur radio operator -- commonly called HAM operators -- comes the duty to serve the public in times of need. TRO is a member-funded/supported organization created as a vehicle for amateur radio operators to serve the public. Throughout the greater Tulsa area, TRO operates and maintains a network of radio communications equipment that is used in service of our community. TRO members volunteer in such public service communications as the SKYWARN storm spotting network assisting the National Weather Service's (NWS) Tulsa warning office, supporting the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency (T.A.E.M.A.), the American Red Cross Disaster Services, and many other emergency and public service agencies that may need additional help and communication resources during times of emergencies.  
 
Today there are more than 650,000 Amateur Radio operators in the United States and more than 2.5 million worldwide. More information about The TULSA REPEATER ORGANIZATION, or how to become involved in SKYWARN and Amateur Radio is available from:  
 
Here are a just a few examples of Amateur Radio helping in emergencies.  
 
* Telephone system failure in Tulsa, Oklahoma - June 2000  
* Flooding West & North of Tulsa, Oklahoma -- May 2000  
* Tornado Outbreak in Oklahoma -- May 1999  
* Tornadoes in Arkansas and Tennessee -- January 1999  
* Telephone system failure in Tulsa, Oklahoma - October 1998  
* Flooding in Texas -- October 1998  
* Tornadoes and flooding in Georgia -- March 1998  
* Tornadoes in Jarrell, Texas -- May 1997  
* "500-Yr Flood," Grand Forks, N.D., & East Grand Forks, Minn. - April 1997  
* Blizzard of '96 - March 1996  
* Oklahoma City Bombing - April 1995 How do Amateur Radio operators help local public safety officials?  
 
Many radio amateurs are active as communications volunteers with local public safety organizations. In addition, in some disasters, radio frequencies are not coordinated among relief officials and Amateur Radio operators step in to coordinate communication when radio towers and other elements in the communications infrastructure are damaged.  
 
What are the major Amateur Radio emergency organizations?  
 
Amateur Radio operators have informal and formal groups to coordinate communication during emergencies. At the local level, hams may participate in local emergency organizations, or organize local "traffic nets" using VHF (very high frequencies) and UHF (ultra high frequencies). At the state level, hams are often involved with state emergency management operations. In addition, hams operate at the national level through the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), which is coordinated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), which is coordinated through the American Radio Relay League and its field volunteers. In addition, in areas that are prone to tornadoes and hurricanes, many hams are involved in SKYWARN, operating for the National Weather Service.  
 
Is Amateur Radio recognized as a resource by national relief organizations?  
 
Many national organizations have formal agreements with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and other Amateur Radio groups including (but, not limited to):  
 
* Federal Emergency Management Agency  
* American Red Cross  
* Salvation Army  
* National Weather Service  

http://www.tulsahamradio.org/