Genesee Amateur Radio is competing this weekend with other HAM radio operators from Canada and New York at the Genesee County Fairgrounds.
David Carlson, President, has been doing this for over 35 years, says that this is part public relations and part disaster preparedness.
“The whole purpose is to prepare for an emergency, in case communications go down and they can set up in a worst possible situation and work with the government,” says Carlson.
There are two different groups that work in part with the government.
ARES which is Amateur Radio Emergency, would work with disaster groups like the Red Cross and would also assist with communications when there are walk-a-thons or bike-a-thons.
If needed by the government, Genesee County, NYS or the Federal Government, they would request assistance from RACES, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service.
According to Paul Mulford, head of ARES and RACES in Genesee County, Genesee County has a HAM station completely set up and if that place is not accessible, they can set up at home or in a field within 2 hours.
Some amateurs from this area helped after 9/11, Hurricane Sandy and other events to help with communications when they went down. They also participate in drills with local area hospitals, UMMC and the VA, to give status info that would be relayed to the state. This would help the hospitals if they needed to be evacuated or needed supplies or if they were functioning in a disaster.
Carlson says the Department of Homeland Security has it built into their plan, that American Radio Relay League Amateurs will provide communication in a worst case scenario.
David Kruse has been doing this a little over 2 years. He was once a volunteer firefighter and cannot do it anymore, so this is his way of still helping and being part of a community and lending a hand.
“Sometimes all it takes is being able to communicate and I can do that,” says Kruse.
Knut Carlson has been involved for over 48 years and his grandson Ken Carlson has been in this for 5 years. Ken says that he is into technology and social media as any young kid is, but with HAM radio it’s not only something he enjoys with his grandfather and dad, but it’s a hobby of many hobbies.
“Not only do I perform a public service and prepare for an emergency, but it’s also a contest in making contacts with different people,” says Ken. Ken has also made contact with the King of Jordan, who is a HAM operator.
Once a year over 30k HAM operators gather together for HAM Fest, where they can meet the people they contact and learn new technology.
If you are interested in getting your license, you can take a tour of their campsite which will be up and running until 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, or go to their Facebook page Genesee Radio Amateurs or email David Carlson at n2OA@arrl.net.
(Story, video and photos by Julie Carasone)