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In the USA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides support to State and local governments in fulfilment of their responsibilities for preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation of disasters. One method FEMA has used to support State and local emergency communication functions was to sign and implement a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) for amateur radio operators to provide electronic communications for State and local governments in disasters. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has licensed more than 600,000 amateur radio operators in the USA. The national organization of amateur radio operators called the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) was formed in 1914. More than 80,000 of these amateurs have registered their availability for emergency communications in disasters in the ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). Amateur radio operators have been providing communications in natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and earthquakes since 1910. Since amateur radio operation was prohibited during the years of both World Wars I and II, FEMA has sponsored a new branch of the amateur service called Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES). RACES operators are authorized to operate if the President invokes his War Emergency Powers while all other amateur operation would be silenced. Examines the role of amateur radio in providing emergency electronic communications for disaster management and explores future contributions.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the past events where communication challenges have occurred during a disaster, and events in which amateur radio had played a vital role in creating reliable communication links during the disaster response. Furthermore, this paper identifies the modern technology available with amateur radio operators that can be used to create reliable communication networks in order to meet the high demand of disaster communication.

In this paper the author has conducted an integrative literature review, while analyzing case studies of disasters where communication challenges have occurred and the amateur radio has provided communication support during a disaster response.

In today’s world there is a heavy reliance on centralized communications infrastructure such as cell towers, which are very likely to fail during a disaster. Failure or overload of such infrastructure will cause disruptions in communications and make the disaster response inefficient. Amateur radio does not rely on centralized communications infrastructure, and has the ability to be used to meet the demand during many disaster situations. Thus, it is very important for emergency professionals to understand the value of including amateur radio operators in emergency operations plans.

Research is qualitative in nature, with an aim to write a short paper introducing the issues of Disaster Communications.

This paper is intended to provide an insight about the importance of reliable communications during a disaster. Communication interruptions can create a lot of problems and cause inadequate coordination between response agencies. In order to mitigate such challenges it is crucial to study the vital role of amateur radio in supporting the communications when all other mediums of communication fail.

Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in their efforts to develop and market new products. Looks at the issues from different strategic levels such as corporate, international, military and economic. Presents 31 case studies, including the success of Japan in microchips to the failure of Xerox to sell its invention of the Alto personal computer 3 years before Apple: from the success in DNA and Superconductor research to the success of Sunbeam in inventing and marketing food processors: and from the daring invention and production of atomic energy for survival to the successes of sewing machine inventor Howe in co‐operating on patents to compete in markets. Includes 306 questions and answers in order to qualify concepts introduced.

The paper aims to analyse the development of broadcast radio in the USA during the 1920 s, focusing on the legislative and regulatory background, considering the broadcasting spectrum, programme content, and nature of radio as an information resource at that time.

An analysis of primary materials, and of recent secondary materials, is carried out.

The legislative and regulatory framework failed to take note of the unique attributes of information resources, and attempted to treat them in the same manner as more traditional resources. Records of the early days of USA radio are very limited. More positively, radio information resources played a major part in developing several aspects of society, including education, agriculture, and jazz culture.

The study shows lessons for development of current information society. The research is limited to one communication medium, in one country, in one decade. It is not a full historical analysis of the development of radio broadcasting, rather it is limited to information resource aspects, largely of public sector broadcasting.

The paper is the first study of the early development of radio broadcasting from an information perspective. It shows the value of the “information‐as‐resource” model for analysing developments in the communication of information.

The purpose of this paper is to identify selected tools of external public relations (PR) employed by the public media in the area of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and to exemplify them with the activities of Radio Gdańsk in the years 2012-2015.

The opening section of the work is based on studies of the desk research type, i.e. analysis of the literature and industry data, plus exploration of the Radio Gdańsk website. The core part of the work was compiled based on primary research conducted under the quality method – a direct unstructured telephone interview held with a member of the Radio Gdańsk Supervisory Board. The interview concerned the activities of Radio Gdańsk in the years 2012-2015. The information acquired via telephone surveys has been supplemented with more written sources. The sources contained some detailed data without which the analysis of the subject matter would not have been possible. The authors of this study maintain that not only have the data acquired made the analysis possible but also that the paper ought to be treated only as a preliminary study with some interesting findings and a starting point for further analyses.

Reaching for actions of the CSR area carries tangible benefits also to the public media which consolidate their competitive edge thanks to the positive image of a socially engaged enterprise. Thus, using CSR tools, the public media are setting a model of a kind for others. Analysis of the Radio Gdańsk activity areas reveals that the broadcasters successfully employ the selected tools of external communication (external PR) which enable them to put in flesh the postulates of CSR and effectively create their image of a sensitive and socially engaged institution.

This study is based on an analysis of one of a dozen public radio stations and it has some interesting findings, which may be a starting point for further research into the subject. However, it gives the authors no answer as to whether other public media outlets in Poland implement CSR strategies, and what tools they apply in this respect. The authors think that the phenomenon deserves comprehensive and thorough research, which would help us broaden our knowledge of the problem. Yet another interesting aspect of the study, which is mentioned in the introduction, is the question whether (and if so – to what extent) the public media outlets implement CSR policies as part of their market strategy. The policies may after all be merely some intuitive attempts resulting from the general mission of such entities and unstable market situation, and in such cases the noble goals of CSR may be achieved solely by accident.

Using CSR tools, the public media are setting a model of a kind for others (i.e. commercial firms).

The assumptions of a CSR strategy can be found reflected in public media operations and become an action model of a kind for the management of commercial firms.

This paper aims to report an investigation into the benefits and limitations of radio to communicate agricultural information to peasant farmers, and how it can be successfully incorporated into agricultural extension service programs in Zimbabwe.

Quantitative and qualitative research techniques were applied to gather, analyze and interpret data. A total of 25 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with peasant farmers in Ward 16 of the Buhera South Constituency, and four in‐depth interviews were conducted with key informants in agricultural extension and radio services.

Extension service programs do not satisfy the agricultural information needs of peasant farmers because: there are not enough extension workers; they do not have the means of transport to reach all households; they lack the communication skills to interact effectively with the peasant farmers; and they lack the motivation to carry out their work. A community radio service was the most preferred medium of communication for rural peasant farmers. The farming radio programs are relevant to their agricultural activities, their language and accents are used, and they can contribute to the program content.

The study proposes a suitable model for communicating agricultural information effectively to the peasant farmers. The model elaborates how the community radio service should be set up, what the important components are, and how the community radio service can be incorporated into extension service programs.

This chapter presented cognitive radio networks in construction. The construction industry requires an efficient bandwidth of wireless technology for effectiveness without delay. The persistence of challenges with the investment in third generation is a great concern, and this chapter identified investing in fifth generation (as an alternative) to enlarge bandwidth for better effectiveness that is capable of dealing with unavailable or scarcity of radio spectrum. The application of fifth generation will permit efficient utilisation of the radio spectrum by the primary and secondary users to detect the spectrum parameters which will highlight the direct and adequate interaction with the radio channel. This chapter further considered the usage of this technology as it relates to permitting sharing of sense in the spectrum.

College radio stations provide tools, skills and experience to students and graduates, facilitating their integration into the media industry. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the college radio station gives students, beyond practical tools, a sense of self-fulfillment and self-confidence.

Research was carried out through semi-structured in-depth interviews with about 70 interviewees: senior directors of the college radio project, students and graduates.

It was found that students gained self-fulfillment and developed considerable self-confidence through intrinsic motivation, in accordance with Deci’s self-determination model. In addition, it was found that activities in college radio stations match the components of the Project Based Learning model, based on learning in small groups and producing a real product, which is then presented to an audience.

This will impact students to develop their high intrinsic motivation to study. As a result, they will become more creative and satisfied employees, producing higher quality and added value work. Ultimately, the outcome will be one of more positive social welfare and individual well-being.

This research emphasizes the importance of integrating practical workshops in academic studies as a way to empower students in all fields: theoretical study, practical experience and personal development.

The aim of this paper is to consider whether it is possible to identify the future spectrum bands most suitable for the Internet of Things (IoT) from the operating factors of a novel set of radio services for a very wide range of applications, as an aid to policy makers now facing decisions in this area.

The approach uses characteristics of spectrum bands against the applications’ requirements to focus on specific major traits that can be matched.

The main choice factors for spectrum are the practical application needs and the network cost model, and these are fairly useful as matching parameters. It is forecast that multiple bands will be needed and that these should be of a licence-exempt form to seed the unfettered innovation of IoT technologies and pre-empt the formation of significant market power by concerned interests.

The way in which spectrum is allocated today will need to be reconsidered, in the light of evolving IoT requirements, which will have increasing economic and social impacts. Policy recommendations for IoT spectrum demands are outlined, and key policy options to ensure a dynamic and trustworthy development of the IoT are put forward. For instance, regulatory barriers globally will need to be removed.

Current interests in the technical requirements of the IoT have not yet given a suitable analysis of the potential spectrum uses, because too often, it is assumed that previous models of spectrum allocation will continue in the future, without consideration of the economic pressures and social context.

This paper aims to provide a description of the genesis and development of Wi‐Fi, or how the industry exploited an opportunity provided by the regulators in allowing radio communications in the unlicensed bands originally allocated for industrial, medical and scientific applications.

The longitudinal case describes the genesis and development of Wi‐Fi, with a focus on the interplay between regulation, innovation, standardization, and running a successful business.

The paper argues that the current day success of Wi‐Fi is a combined result of: a change in the US communications policy in the 1980s; the industry leadership provided by NCR, its successors and collaborators, to create a global standard and to deliver compatible products under the Wi‐Fi label; and the influence of the users that moved the application of Wireless‐LANs from the enterprise to the home, from indoor to outdoor use, from a communications product to a service, and from operators to end‐users as the provider of that service.

The exploration and analysis are based on contributions by experts from the field, having been involved “first hand” in the innovation journey of Wi‐Fi.

The case describes the first globally successful large‐scale application of radio communication devices operating under a licence‐exempt radio frequency regime. The case is a contemporary example of innovation and product development leading to an open standard. In concluding the paper reflects on the implications of this licence‐exempt case for the governance of the radio spectrum.

While many articles and books have appeared discussing the technical aspects of Wi‐Fi, the case description documents the genesis and development of Wi‐Fi from an entrepreneurial perspective.