Ham Radio Operators Descend On Tulsa

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Ham radio operators honed their skills at Chandler Park Saturday.

Dozens of amateur radio operators say when cell phones fail, they can provide a life line in the face of disaster.

Some said they had helped out as recently as last month in the aftermath of the Joplin tornado. And it wasn't the first time they've been called into action.

"The craziest response was Katrina we had teams of Hams from the Tulsa and Oklahoma City Area that went down to Louisiana to set up local communications for the relief workers there," said Ham Radio Operator Jay Elmer.

Organizers say their network helped send messages to loved ones and prescriptions to pharmacies for weeks after Hurricane Katrina.