Amateur radio operators from several Florida counties, including Santa Rosa, Nassau, Lake, Pinellas, and Leon, played a key role in supporting emergency communications during and after Hurricane Isaias. In Santa Rosa County, volunteers staffed the Emergency Operations Center and the evacuation shelter at the Milton Community Center, relaying situational updates between the shelter and the EOC and staying ready to support communications should conventional systems fail.
Amateur radio operators across the state also provided auxiliary communications, helping maintain contact with the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee during possible network disruptions. Arc Thames, W4CPD, Santa Rosa County CERT and ARES Program Manager, said that while traditional systems have become more reliable, amateur radio remains a dependable auxiliary resource that adds another layer of resiliency for communities.
Thames also serves as the ARRL Northern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator and the Amateur Radio Liaison to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. He explained that volunteer operators monitor amateur radio traffic at the State Emergency Operations Center during tropical weather events, so critical information can still be received and relayed if conventional channels fail.
Separately, online marketplace eBay has imposed new restrictions on listings of radio transmitting equipment in response to FCC rules that took effect October 13. The rules, from the Commission's Third Report and Order issued July 23, 2026, make online marketplaces share responsibility for keeping unauthorized RF devices off their platforms. Sellers must now submit and post an FCC ID for covered equipment, with exemptions for existing listings, small sellers, and used gear. eBay told ARRL its policy will not apply to gear operating exclusively on amateur radio frequencies.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing