NPR

In Devastated Dominica, 'Hams' Become Vital Communications Link

With cell-phone providers struggling to get back up and running, amateur radio operators have stepped in to fill the communications void.
Brian Machesney (Call sign: K1LI), left, and Gordon Royner, Jr. (J73GAR), in Dominica earlier this year, discussing the operation of a ham radio set.

When Hurricane Maria smashed into the tiny island of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean earlier this week, phone service went down, virtually cutting off the island. But within hours, amateur radio operators got on the air and have been providing a vital link to the outside world.

Speaking to ABS Television/Radio in his first interview since Maria made landfall, Dominican

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