INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Thirty amateur radio operators descended upon the Wabasso Causeway over the weekend, taking part in an annual 2-day event in an attempt to reach the most number of other radio operators around the nation.
“We picked a really good place,” said Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club member Eric Larabell as his eyes gazed over the blue water of the Indian River Lagoon, reflecting the white puffy clouds lazing overhead.
The nationwide Field Day serves as a way for radio operators to get out of their comfort zones – their homes – and out into world, using alternative power sources to keep their radios online. It keeps their skills sharp, skills many use to assist local law enforcement and emergency responders in the event of a crisis – like a hurricane.
“We are the backup option for communications,” said Bud Holman, a fellow member of the Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club. Many of the club’s members are registered volunteers with the Indian River County Emergency Services District and are willing and able to provide assistance in the event phone lines and cellular phones go down.
“The first things to go down are the phones and internet,” Holman said.
During the 2004 hurricanes, club members were stationed at various emergency shelters and at the Emergency Operations Center, as well as at the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County.
The volunteers radioed to each other and to emergency crews what the conditions were, what the needs were, and other important data.
Holman said that during one of the storms, he worked the radio and – when he could – he slept under the radio table.
“It was an OK place,” he said with a chuckle.
Many of those who participated in the annual Field Day were drawn to amateur radio – or Ham Radio – because they wanted to be able to provide assistance in the event of an emergency.
Larabell’s interested started at a young age when his father operated a Ham radio during the Korean War for Army communications.
“He always participated,” Larabell said of his dad offering assistance via the radio. His family lived in Miami at the time of some serious hurricanes – and again, his father broke out the radio and helped keep people informed.
“I thought it was rather honorable,” Larabell said.
Bill Woody was stationed at Gifford Middle School during the 2004 hurricanes, running information to those who needed. Don Wheeler helps not only with Indian River County emergency broadcasting, but also assists the National Weather Service.
Sebastian resident Pat Geyer said she got involved as an extension of her Community Emergency Response Team training in Illinois. When she moved to Sebastian, she wanted to continue her involvement.
“When the phones go down and the cells are out, we’re it,” Geyer said.
During the 24-hour amateur radio event, members worked their equipment to make contact with others throughout the country. Not a serious competition, the members did have their notebooks at the ready to jot down the information they needed to confirm contact.
“It’s kind of like fishing,” said Holman. “You put your signal out there and see who you catch.”
The biggest challenge facing the Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club these days is attracting younger members. With the prevalence of cell phones, social media and other technologies, the younger generations don’t appear eager to pick up a Ham radio.
Holman said the club has been reaching out to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as well as the Boys and Girls Clubs to try to spark interest in the children. The club also holds a couple Kids Days each year.
Along with trying to generate a younger membership base, the Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club also provides assistance to those seeking an operator’s license and holds regular meetings. For those interested in learning more about the club, its meetings or getting a license, visit http://w4ot.webs.com.