North Shore Signal Corps (NSSC) is a community-based amateur radio organization dedicated to emergency communications, operator education, and community resilience on the North Shore of Kauaʻi. Our focus is on maintaining reliable communications when conventional systems fail.
Amateur radio has a long history of providing dependable communication during disasters, infrastructure failures, and emergencies. The NSSC exists to ensure those capabilities remain available locally through training, preparation, and disciplined operating.
After Hurricane Iniki, my family was able to send a message by amateur radio to relatives in Central Louisiana, letting them know we were safe when other forms of communication were unavailable. That experience demonstrated the real-world importance of resilient, independent communication.
The North Shore Signal Corps builds on lessons like these by emphasizing practical skills and readiness. We train operators to work under real conditions—limited power, damaged infrastructure, and time pressure—so responses are calm, effective, and reliable when they matter most.
Our activities focus on three core areas:
- Emergency Communications — establishing and maintaining communications during disasters and outages, with an emphasis on clear procedures, message handling, and net discipline.
- Education and Training — mentoring new operators, supporting license upgrades, and developing practical skills in HF, VHF/UHF, digital modes, antennas, and emergency power systems.
- Practical Readiness — field operations, equipment testing, redundancy planning, and learning what works before it is required.
The NSSC is composed of operators with a wide range of experience, including backgrounds in emergency communications, information technology, electronics, RF systems, and field operations. We welcome licensed operators, those studying for their license, and community members interested in learning more about resilient communications.
Effective emergency communications depend on preparation, professionalism, and tested equipment. The North Shore Signal Corps emphasizes calm on-air conduct, accuracy, and continuous learning. We train the way we would operate during an emergency—because that is when it counts.
If you are interested in emergency communications, technical education, or supporting community resilience through amateur radio, the North Shore Signal Corps welcomes your participation.
Strong communication saves time, resources, and lives. Preparation starts now.