Desert Messenger

November 18, 2015 www.DesertMessenger.com 5 Read Desert MESSENGER ONLINE @ www.MyQuartzsite.com Quartzsite General Store, LLC Beer & Wine Fresh Retail & Wholesale Meats Homemade Sausages Arizona Lottery & Pick Fish & Game Licenses A.P.S. Pay Station Accept EBT, Debit & Credit Cards 410 E. Main Street, Quartzsite • 928-927-6310 Open Daily from 8am to 6pm Sunday 8am to 4pm Quality Meats at VERY Affordable Prices! For all your GROCERY NEEDS & MOORE! Fresh Produce Daily! Hamburger Ground Fresh Daily! GREAT LOW PRICES! 10% OFF Everything! Shop Small Saturday Nov. 28 • 8am-Noon Only QUARTZSITE COMMUNITY THRIFT STORE 177 W. Main St. (end of Showplace Lane) Behind Silly Al's Pizza SUMMER HOURS April thru October Thurs. Fri. Sat. 9am-1pm Call us and schedule a donation pickup 928-927-6039 or 928-916-7338. 100% of our proceeds remain here in Quartzsite! WINTER HOURS November thru March Mon- Sat 9am-1pm Local Resident • FREE Estimates Larry - Cell 928-273-3719 DAY NIGHT SHADES REPAIRED GUARANTEED WORK! Factory Parts! Factory Chords! Amateur Radio - Serving our community Quartzsite- Many people are at- tracted to amateur radio by its ability to communicate across the country, around the world, or even with astronauts on space missions. Others build and experiment with electronics. And some simply like the safety, security and conve- nience of a technology that gives them portable communication… anytime… anywhere. But many volunteer their time, equipment and knowledge to prepare and provide support to their commu- nities in times of disaster. In this case amateur radio serves as a very important emergency communica- tions system. National agencies around the world have created spe- cial amateur radio services to fill the need for a group of experts with stations who can provide backup emergency communications in times of disaster. This has become a vital worldwide service that has rendered aid, saving lives again and again, when regular communi- cation systems have failed. So, what do radio amateurs do during and after disasters? It's important to remember that our world does rely heavily on the infrastructure that makes our cell phones, land lines and internet all work. However, sometimes things go wrong, these systems get overloaded, they suffer power out- ages or they simply fail. There is so much that can go wrong in the infrastructure of these systems and this is where amateur radio comes in. Amateur Radio operators are most likely to be active after man- made or natural disasters that damage these lines of communica- tions due to power outages and destruction of telephone, cellular, internet and other infrastructure- dependent systems. In these situ- ations, radio is typically the only way to get communications into and out of an area. In case of disaster, whether it is ac- cidental or natural, amateur radio operators can be deployed rapidly on a volunteer basis, providing a communications system that is both functional and efficient. Using their own time, equipment and knowledge, they set up and operate organized communication networks locally for governmental and emergency officials, as well as provide non-commercial communi- cation for private citizens affected by disasters. This provides a critical public service that would otherwise not be possible. In many cases, it is the amateur radio operators that are the first to respond to disasters, providing primary or supplemen- tal communications as emergency response services setup camps and command posts and get organized. These volunteer radio amateurs are constantly working to ensure they are always ready for disasters before they occur. For example the Quartzsite Amateur Radio As- sociation regularly maintains our own emergency communications systems, manages remote repeater networks, and designs and imple- ments new communication sta- tions as needed. We also manage and regularly practice emergency communications in organized com- munication "traffic nets" and in ex- citing and educational events called field days. Field days have been proven to be a great way to test emergency communications opera- tion, assure radio operators can be deployed rapidly in response to a disaster, and to ensure that reliable communications can be made us- ing emergency resources. You will also see our radio amateurs mak- ing themselves available to provide public safety during parades, fairs and many other special events. They do this typically to provide a community service, and of course it's fun, but it also helps them maintain their own radio skills and emergency preparedness. If you would like to learn more about how you can learn about and use amateur radio to enhance safety and security for yourself, your family and your community stop by and see us at one of our regular events, visit our website at www.QuartzsiteAmateurRadio.com or email us at info@QuartzsiteAma teurRadio.com. Dave Anderson – K1AN Quartzsite Amateur Radio Assoc.

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