The value of ham radio

[DaveK]

Recently, Dennis Hughes, of the Keller Peak Repeater System, forwarded the following letter to me. As many know, the Keller Peak Repeater serves a great deal of the Southern California area and is the home of our OAUSA Nets. I thought it was appropriate to post here.

Dennis,

I just wanted to say thank you for all the hard work you and the board put in to keep the repeater in operation. This is not a statement made to fluff your feathers or put in good regard with you or the other board members.

Within just a few months of getting my ticket, I had already made a lot of friends on this repeater and was familiar with its use, I was on my way to work down Lone Pine Canyon Road out of Wrightwood. There is no cell coverage down most of the road, and it is about 10 minutes in either direction to civilization.

I was about half way down when a car coming up the road drifted over into our lane heading straight at the car in front of me and sure enough hit them head on. I tried my cell phone but no signal, so I picked up the mike and made an emergency call, interrupting Judy’s net. Trace was there…KI6DPN and he made the call to the fire station in Wrightwood, and communicated what was happening while they responded….This communication on your repeater got help to the injured a lot sooner than if I had to drive back into town and get help. The injured party was removed from the vehicle and transported to the hospital and the emergency personnel said that the Ham radio saved there life!

Again traveling down lone pine months later a white car passed me doing well in excess of the speed limit and drifted into the dirt shoulder, the driver over corrected and lost control flipping his car several times out into the brush on the side of the road. Once again I picked up the mike and made an emergency call and I think it was Trace again who answered the call and got paramedics and the fire truck there to cut him out of the vehicle and transport him to the hospital, and once again the Ham Radio was credited with saving a life.

So it does not come lightly when I say Thank You to all involved with the Keller Peak Repeater and I am proud to be a member of your group.

Scott Conner

KI6CXD

[ki6kui]

I happened to be listening to Judy's net when Scott's call came in. The net went into action to get Scott the aid he needed at the scene. It was all done with order and a sense that everyone knew what to do. It was quite inspiring to hear this Amateur Service drama unfold as I listened to it. That's when I decided it wasn't a hobby any more. It is too serious for that.

[BlueFJ]

On a side note, sounds like they should rename that road "Dumb-ass rd."!
All kidding aside, it's great to hear stories of ham's usefulness in such situations!

[cruiserlarry]

I happened to be listening to Judy's net when Scott's call came in. The net went into action to get Scott the aid he needed at the scene. It was all done with order and a sense that everyone knew what to do. It was quite inspiring to hear this Amateur Service drama unfold as I listened to it. That's when I decided it wasn't a hobby any more. It is too serious for that.

I thionk you are correct - it's part of a lifestyle of being willing to help others in need when necessary - of being of service to your community in times of need.