Audio

Cal Davis, KF4LAR, Net Control during the Tuscaloosa tornado, gets a real time report from amateurs in the field watching the tornado tear through the city’s Englewood community.

(Audio recorded and edited by ALERT)

In a transmission made just moments after the tornado roared through Tuscaloosa’s Englewood community, a member of the Tuscaloosa Amateur Radio Club provides a vivid description of what he sees around him, while helping rescue a storm victim from a car.

(Audio recorded and edited by ALERT)

Net Control Cal Davis, KF4LAR, maintains a sense of calm in the midst of sheer chaos, instructing hams in the field to concentrate their reports on injured people needing help.(Audio recorded and edited by ALERT)

Amateurs in the field get a stern warning from Net Control Cal Davis, KF4LAR, to take cover as the tornado moves across the city, from west to east, near Skyland Blvd.

(Audio recorded and edited by ALERT)

In an interview with ALERT’s David Black, KB4KCH,

Cal Davis, KF4LAR, describes some of the benefits amateur radio provided during the December 16th tornado, despite the availability of other more advanced communications technology.  Davis also shares details of a valuable lesson his group learned about providing emergency communications support.

(Audio recorded and edited by ALERT)

Amateurs go through the damage zone looking for tornado victims, while staying in contact with W4KCQ Net Control at the EOC.

Kirk Junkin, KC4ZMP, is asked to assess how many injured people he sees at his location. The report is needed so amateurs can give doctors at DCH Regional Medical Center an idea of how many patients to expect.

Meanwhile, TARC members discuss activation of the National Guard, as the magnitude of the tornado’s impact becomes more evident, while the search for more injured people continues.

An amateur in the field advises Net Control of a storm victim needing medical aid.  Hams help with pinpointing the person’s location so rescue crews can respond.