An Abilities Survey of Thailand Amateur Radio Operators in Disaster and Emergency Situations

Abstract

       Amateur radio is a public service with the objective of increasing the number of radio amateurs to be used as a backup communication network in case of disaster or emergency. Currently, Thailand has 463,202 amateur radio license holders. To assess readiness in case of disaster or emergency, data was gathered by a questionnaire based on analysis of the radio amateur diploma program to choose subject matter needed to assess radio amateur potential in the event of disaster or emergency. 695 samples were amateur radio license holders across Thailand, chosen by the Yamane formula with expected degree of error of 0.05. Results were that average sample age was 43.59, 51.5 % of whom had higher education diplomas and 38.7 percent had over a decade of amateur radio experience. Proportion of competency level of studied radio amateurs that included 1) electrical theory 2) working principle of radio transmitter 3) antenna 4) signal cable and 5) antenna structure, it was found that there was a popular base of competency level at the level “ever seen/seen” (score level 1) in all subjects. except in the category of knowledge of antenna installation and in the electrical topic on knowledge of understanding of non-contact inspection of electrical wires and topic on understanding of assembly of emergency power sources for radiocommunication equipment. which has a popular base of proficiency level at the level of “not understanding” (score level 0).