One area where this hobby is of immense benefit is for people who are handicapped.

Equipment in this modern age can be designed and built such that a blind operator
can by the push of a button have his equipment inform him by synthesised voice
just where on the radio bands it is tuned.

It can also by other coded sounds let him know which of a number of different modes it is in.

There are many unsighted people throughout the world for whom
Amateur Radio is their ears and eyes on the world.

People who suffer a variety of crippling disabilities
are not barred from operating an amateur radio station.

I know of one young man who lost both hands in an accident
who derives the greatest of pleasure from his radio operating.

Amateur Radio stations can be operated from a wheelchair or with the equipment adjacent to a bed.
The use of small handheld radios in conjunction with radio repeaters on nearby higher locations
will allow contacts over quite a distance with minimal effort required.

An inability to speak does not debar anyone from this exciting hobby.
The majority of operators can send and receive morse code
which requires only the manipulation of a morse code key.

With modern techniques this method of communication can also be done using a keyboard.
Computers also allow transmission of typed text by radio.

For the aged, amateur radio can be a real godsend.
It allows those who cannot easily get around to remain in the comfort and safety
of their home and still have contact with many people both near and far.

Such elderly folk can conveniently talk to those with whom they
have established a friendship at almost any time of the night or day.

This is a hobby which provides excellent training for youth.
Most Scout and Guide units are well aware of the benefits of amateur radio
in developing skills which can eventually lead to a career in electronics.

Other social aspects of amateur radio are its ability as a hobby to be applied to community benefit.
Many instances occur where, completely unknown to the public, an amateur radio operator
with mobile equipment in his car has noted that a problem exists.

It can commonly be the scene of an accident and the amateur operator can call for assistance.
There are frequent examples of this where life and property
has been saved because an amateur operator came upon the scene.

In other matters of emergency amateur radio plays a big part in helping the community.
There are many instances of fire, flood and earthquake
where the amateurs play a major role in communication.

The equipment owned and skills possessed by most amateurs allows such versatility
that operations can often be carried out satisfactorily where other emergency services cannot function.

This cannot be an exhaustive description of the value of amateur radio however it should suffice
to show that amateur radio is of great value to society as a whole.

WIA WA - AR Guide - Amateur Radio and Social Issues
With thanks to the original writer

Page 3 index - Page 6 - Page 7 - Page 8

The WIA exists for all Radio Amateurs, Does it speak for you.
Amateurs Unite and Conquer, United we stand, Divided we fall.

VK6WIA Home
Page updated 1-6-2001