EU
Crisis Response Commissioner:
Ham Radio is 'Last Technical Miracle'
Ham Radio is 'Last Technical Miracle'
The
European Community's Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian
Aid and Crisis Response says radio amateurs are "the eyes and the ears of
the world in time(s) when all other information channels are silent," and
that when hams work together "in a Union," they are "a
communication superpower in times of total electronic darkness." According
to the ARRL Letter, the comments of Kristalina Georgieva (pictured left) comments were delivered on
her behalf to the general conference of International Amateur Radio Union
(IARU) Region 1, held in Bulgaria in September. IARU Region 1 covers Europe,
Africa and the Middle East. "In short," her statement added,
"you are the last technical miracle, which is an independent, reliable
information channel, which can transmit an important piece of news from any
place in the world, anytime, by anyone who knows how to operate this wonderful
creature, called radio."
Her
remarks echo the opinions of her U.S. counterpart, FEMA Administrator Craig
Fugate, KK4INZ (see interview, October 2014 CQ). The ARRL says Fugate's
keynote address to the League's centennial convention banquet is now available
on YouTube. The link is at <http://bit.ly/1vWYKhx>.
