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Not long after the discovery of radio waves, there were amateur or ham radio operators. Today there are millions worldwide, with more than 700,000 licensed ham radio operators here in the U.S. alone. Even the International Space Station has one.  

Since these amateurs operate over radio waves, they can aid people with little to no power by relaying messages and connecting with other operators thousands of miles away.  So, when the National Association for Amateur Radio put out the call for volunteers to head down to Puerto Rico, the response was swift. More than 400 people offered to go, with 50 chosen for the task.

Mike Corey is emergency preparedness manager with the National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL), and he says the first group is already on the ground in Puerto Rico and ready to get to work.  

This episode is hosted by Todd Zwillich.