Mile High Radio Club (MHRC) president Bill Tell shared a document (on page A3) “outlining several ongoing projects” the club “is actively engaged in.”
“This document was started several years ago when we were asked to participate in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan revisions,” Tell wrote. “We have advanced several projects over the past several years. The club has answered the call and our efforts will continue to enhance local emergency communications.”
The club was just awarded a $2,000 grant from the Idyllwild Community Fund.
“The award amount of $2,000 is earmarked for the Solar Array our team has designed for the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) Repeater Site located in Pine Cove,” Tell wrote. “The Solar Array will be a huge benefit to our operations for years to come. For example, when Edison shuts the power off for PSPS events, our radio gear along with that of the USFS will maintain full functionality.”
The club runs WNKI-AM 1610, the area’s emergency radio station and is set up out of the Idyllwild Fire Station. The district recently installed its emergency siren alert system and ran its first test May 15.
“For Radio Amateurs interested in emergency communications, we have the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) – Mountain District which is supported by the MHRC,” the website reads. “RACES – Mountain District is the official volunteer communications arm of Riverside County Office of Emergency Service (OES) and operates under the auspices of FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] for disaster communications. We assist in providing radio communications for the local agencies and others during emergencies and special events. We have performed (for several years) and continue to provide both fire patrols and watches for both the US Forest Service and local Fire Officials.”
Funding comes from memberships, donations and grants.
“Thank you Team MHRC for all of the support you have provided over the years,” Tell wrote. “I’m humbled to be surrounded by devoted membership, kudos to all of you!”
For more information, visit milehighradioclub.org.
