By Jaime Yarbrough – February 15, 2018 –

Working toward the goal of increasing the ability of Del Norte County to respond to a disaster, the Del Norte Amateur Radio Club in conjunction with the Amateur Radio Club of Humboldt County, Sutter Coast Hospital and several of the Humboldt county hospitals will be conducting their first ever ham radio communications exercise this Saturday, February 17th. This exercise will be to support the respective Emergency Operations Centers under the Office of Emergency Services.

In the event of a catastrophic loss of power and/or usual communications channels ham radios and their network of radio repeaters can relay essential services requirements and direct resources to and from hospitals. This communication can use several modes of transmission and reception on various radio frequencies each with their respective advantages. Many of the hospitals in Humboldt are up and running with this concept while it’s new territory for Sutter. They are eager to engage with this support from the community and will be acquiring the necessary radios, antenna’s and power supply for communications independence if necessary.

The Del Norte Amateur Radio club meets the first Monday (excluding holidays) at the Washington Blvd Fire Hall at 6 PM and can be found online at W6HY.org or on Facebook at W6HY Del Norte Amateur Radio Club.