Local ham radio operators make more than 800 connections around the country

Orleans County Amateur Radio Club competed in Amateur Radio Field Day exercise over the weekend

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Two ham radio operators – Jim Salyer, left, and Chuck Baker – make connections with other ham radio operators around the country on Sunday.

The Orleans County Amateur Radio Club participated in the annual Amateur Radio Field Day exercise on Saturday and Sunday at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, 14064 West County House Rd.

The OCARC has been active in this Field Day exercise since 1961. This event ran from 2 p.m. on Saturday until 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Orleans ham radio operators were up to 822 connections at 1:30 p.m. with a half hour to go.

Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of Amateur Radio.

There are more than 725,000 licensed hams in the United States, as young as 9 and as old as 100. And with clubs such as the Orleans County Amateur Radio Club, it’s easy for anybody to get involved right here in the Orleans County area.

The Orleans club welcomed the public to the event over the weekend and served up food. Ray Hertel of Shelby is shown at the grill with Eugene Baker of East Shelby in back.

Hertel said he got into ham radio about 30 years ago after being injured at work with the Niagara Mohawk. He was laid up for six months. Two of his friends introduced him to ham radio and he has been active with the hobby since then.

He enjoys the camaraderie with the other radio operators. The Orleans club meets 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday each month at the EMO site, 14064 West County House Rd.

The club will also be at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Aug. 1 doing demonstrations and will be at the Oak Orchard Lighthouse on Aug. 22-23.

Eugene Baker became active in ham radio four years ago when he woke up one day and his cell phone wouldn’t work. He didn’t like the feeling of having his communication system shut down.

He talked with local ham radio enthusiast Terry Cook and Baker embraced the hobby.

“It’s a great group of guys to hang out with,” he said.

Ron Craig of Middleport sends out signals from the digital ham radio center on Sunday.

The Orleans club had nearly 1,000 connections with its signal – 2FWNY.

Ham radio can function completely independent of the internet or cell phone infrastructure.

Bruce Sidari is shown inside the EMO at the ham radio station. Sidari of Albion has been in ham radio since he was 12 – about 65 years ago.

He said he has made friends all over the country through ham radio, meeting many of the people at conventions.

The local club has won many competitions over the years.

“I like the technology,” Sidari said. “It keeps my brain moving.”