Amateur radio club forming in Ellis County
Published on -2/4/2010, 12:10 PM
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By KALEY CONNER
A new amateur radio club has been established in Ellis County, and hobbyists are hoping to lend law enforcement a helping hand.
The Ellis County Ham Operators Club was formed at the group's initial meeting Jan. 21. The operators hope to team up with the sheriff's office and emergency management to help with stormspotting and other events, said Tim Batt, a Victoria resident who is serving as the club's chairperson.
"It's more or less getting more eyes out in more places," Batt said.
The group will meet the first Thursday of every month in the Ellis County Law Enforcement Center, located in the basement of the courthouse.
Their second meeting is at 7 p.m. today, and all are welcome to attend, Batt said.
While 17 people attended the initial meeting, there are 73 licensed amateur radio operators in Hays, with three in Victoria and nine in Ellis, he said. It's hoped that more of these individuals will become members.
Anyone who is interested in amateur radio is welcome to attend and can then begin the process of becoming licensed. It's hoped the Ellis County chapter will be affiliated with the American Radio Relay League, Batt said.
Hays was home to a previous amateur radio club, which officially disbanded about three years ago, partly due to relocation of antenna towers, said Dennis Ernst, a member of both groups.
Ernst said having an active club will be a benefit to law enforcement officials and the county overall.
"In case of emergencies, or even in severe weather ... having the county crew, the sheriff and police officers keep an eye on the weather is one thing," he said. "But extra hands or extra people out in the field are always welcome, and often necessary."
The group will focus on three main goals: education, stormspotting and emergency communications. By helping with stormspotting, it's hoped the ham radio operators will improve communications and free up sheriff department deputies to respond to other calls.
"It's a fun hobby, but it also has the very beneficial side to help the citizens of the community that they're in," Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin said.
