The Cibola County Amateur Radio Club recently received a grant of 2k awarded to the club from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) Amateur Radio Digital Communications | Managing the AMPRNet ™ — TCP/IP Networking for Amateur Radio a private foundation from California that exists to support amateur radio and digital communication science and technology.
The CCARC requested the $2,000 grant to enhance our ability to send emergency radio communications for public safety organizations via licensed amateur radio operators when infrastructure is damage or lost like the recent fiber optic cut which put out most cellular and internet services in Cibola and McKinley counties for twelve plus hours some weeks ago.
The CCARC is a 501c volunteer service organization for the purpose of enhancing and promoting amateur radio communications within the community and assisting government communications during emergencies and disasters. We experiment with amateur radio communications technology for the purpose of advancing capability to communicate with others in our communities, state, nation, and among the world. This grant allowed the CCARC to install a VARA FM 2 Meter Internet Digital Gateway able to send emails, and text messages via two-way radios at their homes.
Many other Amateur radio clubs in New Mexico have been providing the same type of services in McKinley, San Juan, Bernalillo, Los Alamos, and Socorro counties assisting their public safety departments.
The club supports the local county emergency mangers office for communications, and yearly events in Cibola County like the Mount Taylor Quadrathlon, 50K Run Mount Taylor, Milan Courtesy Photo Sprint Triathlon, lost persons as well as other events.
If the VARA FM Gateway is not working CCARC members can also send the same type of messages long distance through other HF High Frequency low band twoway radios digitally across the country.
Persons interested in getting their Amateur Radio License or already licensed and want to join the CCARC may send emails to hhallcosd@yahoo.com for more information.