This time, he will help people across the globe communicate in and out of disaster areas. The Global voices project has been on the shelf for about 10 years, Addy, a former St. Louis Park resident, said. He submitted a paper to the United Nations 10 years ago outlining plans for a global communication system to be airlifted into disaster areas. Global Voices will operate on amateur, commercial and military radio frequencies. Its five circuits will help Red Cross and Salvation Army and other disaster workers make outgoing calls easier.
Storms can play havoc with existing communication systems.
Addy remembers when a tornado struck a small Minnesota town and left only one telephone working. Someone has to take the initiative. Addy has extensive communications experience. At 17, he joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He taught electronic and communications engineering at the Minnesota School of Business.