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Amateur radio league tests radio bus

The local branch of the Amateur Radio Relay League got the opportunity to test out its new emergency response radio bus when it participated in the North America-wide annual radio Field Day

The local branch of the Amateur Radio Relay League got the opportunity to test out its new emergency response radio bus when it participated in the North America-wide annual radio Field Day.

The Field Day provides amateur radio enthusiasts the chance to get together and practice their emergency response capabilities on the “ham radio,” a non-commercial radio system that has been around for centuries.

Local ham operators, part of the Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization (PEMO) communications sector, used the day to test out the new roving radio bus. The bus, purchased using municipal contributions to PEMO, acts as a alternate radio centre that is able to travel to the site of an emergency.

On the bus are multiple radio systems that can reach anywhere from local emergency response centres, to high frequency radios that can reach ground stations around the world.

The radio systems have the capability of sending both voice and data messages across the airwaves. Data messages are packets of text sent over radio frequencies, similar to early dial-up internet.

The bus also has radios operating on commercial radio frequencies such as the search and rescue and marine-band frequencies. This allows search and rescue personnel to communicate at a better quality than handheld radio

Radio communications is just one of the sectors of the PEMO, along with ground search, emergency social support and neighbourhood emergency preparedness. All are volunteer-driven, and those interested in volunteering with the organization are invited to visit www.pemo.ca