Published: June 16, 2008 11:07 pm      

Ham operators being recruited to provide backup in emergencies

SOMERSET — As a teen, Steward Saylor was interested in electronics. In his 30s, he turned his interest into a hobby as an amateur radio operator.

Thirty years later, he’s still at it.

“Most of us have equipment at home, some of us in our cars,” said Saylor, a retired banker from Geiger. “There are so many things you can do with an amateur license.”

Now hobbyists like Saylor can become a lifesaving backup for emergency management systems.

With more than $20,000 from Homeland Security, 13 western Pennsylvania counties will receive equipment for standby, volunteer dispatchers.

Somerset County Emergency Management Director Rick Lohr said the county’s dozens of amateurs are the first people he calls for backup in situations such as Flight 93 and the Salisbury tornados.

“It’s a hobby but, during a disaster, they can provide communications,” he said, thanking the ham operators for their volunteer service.

The equipment will enable volunteers to respond more quickly when needed – without packing personal gear.

“Each of the 13 counties received the same equipment,” Saylor said, so if one of the counties is swamped, hams from the other counties could easily pitch in.

The Somerset County Amateur Radio Club, which has an office in the Georgian Place, will be testing the new instruments as they camp outside the facility for the annual Amateur Radio Field Day. They will be communicating worldwide for practice.

The public is invited to observe and ask questions. More club information is available online at www.k3smt.org.