Volunteer Radio Operators Are A Lifesaver During Emergencies In The San Bernardino National Forest
Sep 22, 2021
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When disaster strikes, phone lines and signal towers can go down. And that’s where the Mile High Radio Club steps in.

“When it hits the fan or there's no other means of communication, we all know that ham radio continues to work,” said club president Bill Tell. “Our operations are often completely off the grid. When there’s no power, for example, we can set up remotely in various locations.”

So-called “ham radio” is a broadcast platform that uses low-wattage radio frequencies — known as “amateur bands” — provided by the Federal Communications Commission.

Based in Idyllwild, the group of volunteer radio operators in the Mile High group stretches across the San Jacinto Mountains — an area at particularly high risk for extreme wildfire. The Mile High Radio Club took the initiative to step up during emergencies — both to get information to locals and tourists, and to pass messages among first responders.