Amateur Radio Club Event

TYLER — It only happens once a year, but this event may save lives in the next emergency in our area. It’s the Tyler Amateur Radio Club, and this weekend marked their annual field days. When disaster strikes, like a hurricane, or there is an emergency like the Shuttle explosion, immediate communication is vital. And you cell phone may be missing in action. The one medium that will work rain or shine, with no more power than a care battery is shortwave.

And, according to KETK, once a year the 78-member strong Tyler Amateur Radio Club gets together to keep it’s skills sharp and make sure they are ready. “It’s sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, and once a year we get together to do emergency preparedness,” club member Elaine Jackson said. There’s even a rolling communications center which serves a number of local needs.