Photo By Amy Phillips | Motorola contractor Keith Grommes explains the components of the radio system he set...... read more read more
Looking for an inexpensive hobby that can be fun and invaluable during emergencies? Try “ham radio” which is also known as amateur radio operations. You can communicate to a network of local, regional and national operators and even the International Space Station.
“I became interested in ham radio operations through friends when camping in a remote area,” said Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL) Cultural Resource Manager, Lisa Cipolla (KK6VGH). “It is a safety issue…that is the main reason I have my [Technician] License and carry a radio when camping or hiking.”
“[Ham radio is a] great opportunity to get to know people, keep track of weather, emergency situation, and it’s just so much fun!” said Keith Grommes (KG1USA). He says he has “always been passionate about technology, since I was a child playing with CB radios.”
Grommes liked radios so much that he joined the Navy and served as a Radioman (RM)/Navy Information Systems Technician (IT) from 1989-2009. He didn’t pick up ham radio as a hobby until after his retirement.
“I wish I had started as a Ham a lot sooner. I didn’t realize how much fun it can be,” said Grommes.
Grommes is the Motorola contractor that manages and maintains FHL’s radio network/system. He ensures that the radios and frequencies assigned to the garrison and troops training at FHL are functional at all times.
Ham radios can be simple as a handheld radio for about $35 from a local store, to an amateur radio station with a teletype, television, radio modulators, and more. Ham radio is a popular hobby with people from all walks of life and of all ages.
Local residents and ham radio enthusiasts, Tom Foster (N6FVY) and Jack Lindley (W6YOY), have been providing free introductory classes to the community since 2011. They are official volunteer exam proctors registered with the National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL).
Foster learned ham radio operations while in high school and now holds an Extra Class License allowing him to access the full spectrum of frequencies authorized by the FCC for amateur radio.
“I use it while riding my motorcycle, doing simple chores, use it with grandkids during hiking trips, and especially during fires,” said Foster. According to the ARRL, “Hams can even bounce signals off the moon!”
Foster is the President of the Southern Monterey County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); a FHL community partner. CERT members and local residents saw first-hand how useful ham radio operations were during the Chimney Fire in June 2016.
There are many published explanation for the origin of the term “Ham” radio operators. According to the ARRL, commercial radio operators in the beginning of amateur radio history called amateurs jamming frequencies “hams.” Gerry Crenshaw (WD4BIS) states that it is the first letters of the last names of the founders of the first amateur radio station (Harvard Radio Club in 1908): Hyman-Almy-Murray.
In order to operate on radio frequencies known as “Amateur Bands,” a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician License is required. The exam to obtain the license consists of 35 multiple-choice questions on regulations and technical radio topics.
“I studied in the vanpool during my commute to work and back,” said Cipolla. In addition to emergency uses, she enjoys “rag chew” (chat) with friends outside of the State. “The nice thing about the local group is that everyone helps each other,” said Cipolla.
There are three types of amateur radio licenses: Technician, General and Amateur Extra. The basic Technician License allows you to operate with frequencies of 50 MHz or higher.
Local ham radio clubs include the Training Net hosted by Foster and Lindley, the Paso Robles Amateur Radio Club (W6LKF).
“Ham, to me, isn’t a hobby. It’s a way of life,” said Grommes. “It’s like magic, being able to communicate on a single device around the world and meet new people.”
For more information on amateur radio, exam guides and locations visit: www.arrl.org/home. Free exam study guides and practice tests are also available at: wednettraining.com and QRZ.com. There are also free phone applications that you can use.
| Date Taken: | 04.06.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2017 14:09 |
| Story ID: | 229577 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT , CA, US |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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