Click on the tabs above to see pictures from events where SFFMA members have participated.

Miami-Dade Amateur Radio Public Service Corps

 Making the Community Better Through Amateur Radio

Who are we?

Think of us as technical experts in communication.   First and foremost, we’re Amateur Radio Operators licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to use radio spectrum and equipment to communicate.   As the FCC puts it: “Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.”   We come from all walks of life.   Many of us also specialize in communication in our professional life.   Our driving principle is to use our skills to benefit our community. Our skills in times of emergency are polished at Public Service events.  

What do we do?

Mainly, communications.   We’re all equipped with two-way radios and the training to use them effectively.  We provide communication at fundraising events open to the public.   We observe and report to the Command Post we set up.   From here, we interface to professional law enforcement and medical personnel.  We help you coordinate logistical issues, finding supplies and getting them to the places where they’re needed as quickly as possible.   We do this by using Automatic Vehicle Location technology as well as voice communication.  We can also distribute radios to your other volunteers, including the
testing and training required by non-technical people to use them 

We are also available as consultants for other logistical concerns.   We would be happy to participate in the planning of your event.   As well as communications, many of us enjoy finding cost effective solutions to any technical challenge, for example, wireless networking, lighting, power and public cooling.   Our training in disaster response can help prevent a problem where the public is involved.  

Events we have participated in for many years:

How can we help your non-profit organization?

If you’re on the committee of any large-scale public event for fundraising for a non-profit organization, we would like to hear from you.   Planning is important, so please contact us early so that we can fit your event into our planning schedule.  

What do we ask for in return?

By law, we cannot accept money for our Amateur Radio activities.   We cannot help a for-profit organization.   We donate our time, skills and equipment for the public good.   In return, all we ask is for your recognition of our work.  This can be in the form of a mention on your web site or event literature.  This helps us improve the awareness of Amateur Radio among the public.   We will need space for our mobile command post, usually a trailer, parking for our vehicles, and if possible, food and drink for our volunteers.  

MAKING THE COMMUNITY BETTER THROUGH AMATEUR RADIO

ARPSC of Miami Dade  

Contact:  Ray J. Vaughan, KD4BBM