Nathan Straus
Jacksonville Daily Progress
JACKSONVILLE —
Cherokee County Amateur Radio Club members have invited county residents to learn more about their organization at the group’s Drakes on the Lake event Saturday, Club webmaster Brad Low said. The radio club promotes the operating of Ham two-way radios and using them for public service.
“The club is a group of people who are licensed amateur radio operators,” Low said. “Several of us are certified by the National Weather Service for tracking storms. We are the eyes and ears of the weather service.”
Low said a common use of Ham radios by qualified operators is to establish and coordinate a link to shelters for hurricane evacuees. He also said Ham radios allow users to communicate with other Ham radio users around the world.
“We try to bring in more people and get them interested in amateur radio operating,” Low said. “We invite the public to our events and we’re there to answer questions.”
He said even though the group and other operators of Ham radios are referred to as amateur operators, the Federal Communications Commission carefully regulates the use of Ham radios.
“I can’t just get on the air and say whatever I want,” Low said.
Low added Ham radio has channels set apart from commercial and military frequencies which the FCC makes available to qualified operators. In order to be qualified, radio operators must pass exams of proficiency, communication theory and electronics. Once a passing grade is issued, the operators can be licensed accordingly.
“The big pull of Ham radio is being available for public service,” Low also said. “If you see a tornado chaser on the news, he’s probably got a Ham radio.”
He said when the county experiences weather emergencies such as the tornadoes of December, 2009, it is people with Ham radios who communicate between counties notifying others of the locations of tornadoes on the ground.
Low added Ham radios are used to expedite relief in the earthquake-damaged areas of Haiti.
“It’s about public service and a passion for communicating,” Low said.
Club Member Richard Nielsen said he got into amateur radio operating during a bout with the measles.
“Doctors stuck me in a dark room, probably because they thought light would damage my vision, and put an old table radio next to my bed,” Nielsen said. “I didn’t know what the third dial did and one day I turned it. I heard things from all over the world. I didn’t know that was possible.”
Nielsen said the first thing he ever heard over Ham radio was a broadcast from Russia and added he began collecting equipment in 1954. He also said though his equipment totals about $30,000, a novice collector can get a high quality receiver for $300.
In order to raise interest in the group and Ham activity, Low said there will be a special interest event Saturday called Drakes at the Lake. He said in order to commemorate radios made by the company R.L. Drake, which now operates outside the realm of Ham radios, people will bring Drake radios to the RV campground at Lake Jacksonville off Byrd Road.
It will start between 9 and 10 a.m. and will go till at least Saturday evening. Low said antennas will be set up in the trees and the public is invited to attend this free event.
“Anyone who is a Ham operator or wants to know more about them is invited to come,” Low said.
The club was formed in the 1970s and currently has approximately 30 people, Low added.
