Making a Difference: Ham radio operators offer connection in good, bad times

Ben Booth works at his ham radio station in this undated photo. From monitoring volcano eruptions in Tonga or earthquakes in Haiti to helping with community events like parades, marathons and bike races, amateur radio is often the first — and sometimes only — means of communication to the world outside the affected area. A typical amateur radio operator may be just about anybody, attracting people of all ages, persuasions and walks of life from teachers to entrepreneurs, electrical engineers to