Amateur radio making a comeback in Northwest Missouri

By Charles Christian

Amateur radio — also known as “ham radio” — is alive in well in Northwest Missouri, thanks to the Missouri Valley Amateur Radio Club.

Brad Hurd, coordinator of the club, has spent years honing his skills and training others to build and use amateur radio kits.

“We are now the official communications backup for Mosaic Life Care,” Hurd said. “We received a grant to help us purchase state-of-the-art systems, and Mosaic has given us space in one of their buildings on their main campus.”

Amateur radio uses radio waves to communicate for both recreation and for emergency situations and can be especially useful when ordinary communication systems break down.

“You can use internet these days for amateur radio,” Hurd said, “but since it’s a technology developed in the early part of the 20th century, the internet is not required to communicate worldwide.”

This means that amateur radio networks have assisted in national disasters like hurricanes and major flooding. These networks can also bridge gaps between people across state and international boundaries. Hurd said he has spoken with people in Great Britain, South America and even Japan.

Amateur radio users can set up their networks with things as simple as a walkie-talkie and the internet, or as complicated as high-end antennas and radio equipment.

Currently, the Missouri Valley Amateur Radio Club has about 15 certified members, but they are taking new steps to increase that number.

“Because we are hoping to connect with younger people, we are offering new training opportunities for certification,” Hurd said. “It used to be that someone would have to travel to Kansas City or other major cities in the area in order to receive training and certification. Now, our club has been certified to both train and administer the tests for certification.”

Hurd and others in the club hope this convenience, as well as free access for members to the high-end equipment the club owns, will give people young and old an incentive to learn more about amateur radio and to become active in the amateur radio community.

The radio club will hold its next training on June 29 and 30 at Mosaic Life Care. The cost of the two-day course is $50, and it includes a book, the class and the exam fee. More information can be found on the club’s website at w0nh.org.