Local Radio Club provides emergency communication, connects radio enthusiasts

Published 6:11 pm Friday, September 6, 2024

In an era where digital communication reigns supreme, the Piedmont Amateur Radio Club (PARC) still serves as a vital and vibrant hub for radio enthusiasts and emergency communication services. 

The club’s mission extends beyond casual radio operation; it is essential in the community’s emergency preparedness network, offering an extra lifeline in times of crisis. 

For member Hal Reid, radio is more than just a hobby. It’s a passion deeply rooted in family tradition.

Reid’s interest in radio began with his father, who was both a ham radio operator and commercial radio operator. Reid eventually passed his father’s passion for radio to his wife and five kids who are all licensed amateur radio operators. 

“Growing up, we had radios and that sort of thing … it was just kind of a natural transition,” said Reid. 

Since moving to the Milledgeville community, Reid has been an active member of the Piedmont Amateur Radio Club for more than 20 years. 

The Piedmont Amateur Radio club, established more than 30 years ago, contains a thriving community of radio enthusiasts from across from Putman County and surrounding areas. 

A significant part of the club’s success can be attributed to its facilities, including an antenna site located east of Eatonton. The site, initially leased for a dollar per year, was later purchased by a club member. The property spans two acres with a 185-foot tower, several buildings, and array of radios. One of the club’s latest editions is a satellite station, which allows club members to communicate with people from all over.

The PARC sustains its activities through a combination of membership dues and donations of surplus equipment. Additionally, the club’s membership varies from highly-technical individuals like engineers to those who are interested in ham radio as a hobby. Other members are drawn by the reliability of ham radio communication in emergency situations. 

“We’ve got probably 20% that are very technical people that have worked in communications,” said Reid. “We have a couple people who are engineers, and then we have what I guess you might call the ‘average bear,’ which is somebody who’s just interested in radio because it’s fun.”

The club offers a wide range of activities and learning opportunities, including satellite communication, digital modes, and even moon bounce. 

“Moon bounce ham radio operators have been bouncing signals off the moon since the mid-‘50s,” said Reid. “But it’s not a simple thing to do. It takes a lot of technology, a lot of a certain amount of engineering, perhaps, but it’s one of those things we just thought it might be fun to do.”

Another aspect of the PARC is deep community involvement, especially when it comes to emergency services. The club operates one of the most advanced Winlink systems in Georgia, allowing email communication over radio signals. With six stations operating 24/7 on different frequencies, the system plays a crucial role during emergencies for when traditional forms of communication are not available. 

“Every time there’s a hurricane, we get a lot of traffic, often messages from people letting family know they’re OK,” said Reid. “The system is quite robust, with some stations running on solar power and built-in redundancy if the internet goes down.”

In addition to emergency preparedness, the club participates in several community events. One such event is Spin for Kids bicycle in Madison, where the club provides communication support for flat tires or other mechanical issues. The profits for the event funds camp experiences for children with serious illnesses, disabilities, or other life challenges. 

The club will take part in a nationwide exercise called Simulated Emergency Test (SET) in early October. The test will be in collaboration with American Radio Relay League (ARRL), giving hospitals a chance to test their preparedness for emergency communications. 

The PARC currently provides emergency communication services for St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greene County, as well as Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin in Baldwin County, Jasper Memorial Hospital in Jasper County and Putnam General Hospital in Putnam County. They also offer their services to Central Georgia K9 Search & Rescue Team. 

Club meetings, which are open to the public, take place every second Saturday of each month at the tower site located at 234 Wesley Chapel Road in Eatonton. The meetings include regular club business, followed by a presentation on a topic related to amateur radio. 

For more information on how to get involved or obtain a radio license, visit the Piedmont Amateur Radio Club’s website at k4par.org.