Introducing to the Hoke Emergency Radio Network (HERN)

No politics, no officers, no dues—just neighbors helping neighbors when disaster strikes and, more importantly, offering a calming voice from someone nearby when things seem darkest.

The Hoke Emergency Radio Network (HERN, for lack of a better term right now) is a free, anonymous two-way radio system to help bridge the gap when Internet connections or cell phone service goes down or neighborhoods are cut off due to flooding. The frequency of those outages and calamities has increased at an alarming rate, and with 2024 spawning a Cat 5 hurricane earlier than before—Hurricane Beryl—and Hoke County firmly in the crosshair of tropical storm Debby, this season may be challenging one.

Natural disasters and hackers are the primary culprits of standard-communication-system blackouts. The list of suspects grows daily, as do the odds that two-way radios will at times be the only means of punching a message out or reaching a neighbor nearby with a supply you may need.

For that reason, I’m trying to enlist participants in HERN who are willing to connect with others in and around Hoke County, NC. There are no membership dues, secret handshakes, elected offices, mandatory meetings, expensive purchases, royalty or exotic backyard antennas required.

If you’re willing to turn on an FRS or GMRS radio when disaster strikes and check onto channel 3 (all privacy and sub-channels turned off so you can hear everyone), you qualify. There is no minimum age requirement and many of those radios you consider “toys” do an amazing job. In fact, some are already saving lives and easing suffering in three western states (also on channel 3, which is why I selected it). When participants have higher-end radios, antennas and backup power systems in flat terrain—like Hoke County—they can also repeat or relay an urgent message and, with luck, contact someone near you if simple supplies are needed. I can tell you from my decade of mountain rescue experience, the biggest medicine to be dispensed is the calm voice of someone nearby.

Safety First, Foremost, Always

HERN is not 911 and is in no way connected to any governmental emergency service or agency. It is an all-volunteer, independent group of people who care enough about their neighbors to provide aid when possible do so safely a few doors down or simply remind them the storm will soon pass.  

Safety comes first, however, and that begins with members never sharing personal information. If on an FRS walkie-talkie, stick to your “handle” (the on-air name you select). The Federal Communication Commission won’t allow profanity, so have fun with your choice, but keep it clean and easy to remember. GMRS licensees are required to announce their license number periodically, but between those times are encouraged to use something simple.    

HERN members are never encouraged to physically respond and render aid for a variety of safety reasons. If they feel compelled to do so it should only be a simple and safe act, done only during a major event for a neighbor within walking distance to deliver simple items and always “exchanged” outside in plain view. A gallon of gas for the family two doors down to keep their generator going, tarp if their roof is damaged, propane tank to cook on the grill if the power is out or water if a major line is broken (like we had go out a few years ago) are examples. First responders won’t have time to deliver during a disaster, and if roads are washed out, they wouldn’t be able to anyway.

The power of this system—which is already being used in areas of California and Colorado prone to wildfires, as well as by search and rescue in Wyoming—is neighbors offering minor help to neighbors. When in doubt, however, don’t venture out.

To participate, simply turn on your FRS or GMRS radio and go to channel 3. Disable privacy channels and codes, as well as CCTSS or DCS tones. Wait until you hear no one else talking, then transmit the message “This is [your selected on-radio ‘handle’] checking into the HERN net.”  Use plain English and speak clearly and slowly. You may be versed in hamspeak and 10 codes, but lessons from elsewhere indicate it’s best to avoid the jargon altogether. Keep things simple, friendly and welcoming to novices.

If you hear someone calling, please answer. Use your handle and stick to it. If I answer, I’ll ask where you are to start a map showing how far I can cast my portion of the net. Respond only with the nearest crossroads, not a precise address. Others are encouraged to do the same. That information will let you know how well your radio is working…outside on the porch is good, upstairs can be better and experiment inside the house for those times Mother Nature is really in a bad mood.

I’ll begin monitoring channel 3 on Wednesday Aug. 7 at noon EDT and will answer anyone I hear (unless others are talking at the time, in which case be patient). Periodically I will transmit by announcing my GMRS license number first (WRFZ-267 to remain in full FCC compliance), followed by my old search and rescue callsign—177—and state I’m on the air and monitoring. I’d be grateful if you’d dust off one of those cheap blister pack radios collecting dust in your closet and give me a shout.

The worst of this storm is yet to come, so now’s the time to harness the power or neighbors helping neighbors, even if they’ve never met, or ever will. It’s a different, friendly way for Hoke County to pull together when disaster strikes.

I will write more on the technology (in simple terms), my oddly redundant system, free things you can do to maximize your range, and provide some of the success stories from similar initiatives as time allows in the next few days.

Rebroadcasting things like weather alerts on the air is illegal (although you can relay the info in your own voice). For that reason, when the Internet is up, I heartily recommend monitoring the Hoke County Weather and More, with Jessy Brown group on Facebook. She gets updates posted faster than I get them on my weather radio and includes road conditions and other potentially lifesaving information. You can rely on everything she and other members of the group provides.