In the wake of Hurricane Helene, amateur radio operators, also known as HAMs, are stepping up to coordinate relief efforts managed entirely by volunteers. Vicki Carnes of South Carolina, call sign AD3I, is running net control and leading the initiative, which has become a lifeline for extremely isolated areas affected by the disaster in neighboring North Carolina.

Avery Airport, located at 400 Brushy Creek Road (State Road 1101), has emerged as one of the unofficial command centers for volunteer workers. Michael Stewart, call sign KJ4GPT, is directing operations on the ground, where volunteers have established a command post and distribution point to assist those in need.

What began as a simple overnight stop for a few trucks at Avery Airport in North Carolina has transformed into a vital hub for volunteer efforts in the area. To date, all initiatives at Avery County Airport have been entirely driven by volunteers.

Stewart said he has held a Technician Class amateur radio license for years but never keyed up a mic until recently to coordinate relief efforts at Avery Airport, encouraging others to do the same.

The airport is receiving supplies by truck and air. Morale was boosted when a privately owned Black Hawk helicopter from Colorado landed at Avery County Airport, delivering nurses and medical supplies.

Many individuals in need are unable to call for help due to communication outages, prompting volunteers to reach out to them directly. Privately owned aircraft and ATVs are being utilized to access areas that are inaccessible by road.

More volunteers are urgently needed to assist with stocking supplies, loading and unloading trucks, and setting up a medical tent. Medical staff are also requesting drivers to transport supplies as deliveries from major carriers are currently delayed.

The site is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to receive donations and volunteers. Those interested in helping are encouraged to contact Stewart via email at RvSuper8@gmail.com. Volunteers should be self-sufficient and are asked to commit to a stay of four to five days.

Critical supplies are urgently needed at Avery Airport, including gas cook stoves and grills, small propane gas bottles, Buddy heaters, 10/3 electrical wire with ground, 40-amp double-pole breakers, cold weather gear, small push-start generators, RVs or campers for medical staff accommodations, utility trailers, sharps containers, automated external defibrillator (AED), 4x8 whiteboards and markers, heating pads for warming IVs, folding chairs, and large medical gloves.

HAM radio operators are also coordinating supplies to the Pensacola Volunteer Fire Department, where log splitters are needed to process firewood, and generators were requested by Byron Watson N4TIZ of Burnsville, NC as colder weather begins to set in the mountains.

William Blanton of Morganton, NC Call sign KO4DBP notified net control that anyone wanting to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse in Boone, North Carolina, should call 828-386-8667.

Before the day was over, the Silverado volunteer site in Black Mountain area was relocated to a location known locally as Camp Dorothy Walls.

Conditions on the ground are constantly changing, and HAM radio operators are there to notify volunteers and coordinate resources. Volunteers depend on real-time information provided by these HAMs.

In our modern world of cell phones, email, and internet access, the radio—an invention over 100 years old—continues to play a crucial role. Currently, as Hurricane Milton makes landfall another dedicated group of HAM radio operators from the Hurricane Watch Net are using their radios to help those in need.

To learn more about becoming a licensed HAM operator, visit https://hamstudy.org and https://www.arrl.org