'Hams' to help emergency operations during Storm Area 51 event

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — On Tuesday, Sept. 17, hams (or amateur radio operators) will begin deploying to various areas in Lincoln, Clark and Nye Counties to provide support for the ‘Storm Area 51’ event over the weekend of Sept. 20.

The goal of the operators is to provide timely and accurate communication for the event’s emergency personnel and incident command so that proper action can be taken.

The ham operators will be prepared to “dry camp” (or fully self-contained) through Sunday, Sept. 22, after setting up stations and several portable repeaters and link stations near Alamo, Hiko, Tickaboo Valley and Rachel, Nevada.

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Since many of these areas that are expected to be impacted by ‘Storm Area 51’ attendees are remote with no internet nor cellphone coverage, ham operators will be vital for communication in the event of life-threatening instances.

The Nevada National Guard also announced that, while it is not sending soldiers or airmen, it is providing a communications truck to boost wireless and radio communications.

The controversial ‘Storm Area 51’ event has become a hoax-gone-wrong after being posted to Facebook.

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The originator of the Facebook post has since joined a Storm Area 51-inspired event in downtown Las Vegas.