KC0VTO

Throughout my life, I have been dedicated to volunteering and communication. This began during my high school years in the 1970s, when I served in public service. In the 80s and 90s, I worked in the fire service, and during the 2000s, I served in law enforcement. I continue to volunteer today, and my latest assignment is to assist trained radio operators, along with our local Emergency Management and Red Cross, in developing and operating more reliable equipment. Together, we implement communication systems to ensure continuous safety communications for the public during emergencies.

 

My interest in radio began during high school when I joined a local disaster action team. We supported the National Weather Service by providing advanced warnings of severe storms. We assisted local law enforcement by relaying motorists' emergency or distress calls from the citizen band radio channel 9, mainly from highways and the interstate systems in our area.

 

It has been fascinating to witness the growth and changes in communication over the years. Today, I deploy amateur radio communications equipment that allows me to use voice, digital, and broadcast images to work locally and over thousands of miles. I serve the emergency messaging needs of anyone from around the globe, on land, air, and sea. In fact, with my FCC amateur radio license and equipment, I am relied upon as a valued backup communicator during emergencies. I assist when more vulnerable forms of communication, like cell phones, emergency trunking technologies, and television, stop functioning during crises like the Boston Marathon bombing, 911, tornados, major wind-related storms, hurricanes, and significant flooding.

 

Below are pictures of my portable VHF, UHF and HF radio equipment: