Amateur Radio in an Emergency

[taugust]

I thought I would post an experience I had today using ham radio in an emergency.

I made a trip from my home near Julian, CA to Borrego Springs. I was driving my mother's car and had my Icom HT and scanner. I usually carry some ham radio with me, no matter where I go. On the return trip, I encountered a motorcycle accident on Montezuma Grade, miles from any town. The rider had gone too fast (80 mph) into a curve rated at 30 mph and contacted the guard rail and posts. He was not moving, but conscious and responsive. No one could get cell reception in the remote high desert hills. I tried the Palomar repeaters but could not get them. I only had the rubber duck antenna. I was able to contact a station in San Diego on the Monument Peak repeater (near Mt. Laguna), who then called 911. The repeater was over 22 miles away, over several mountain ranges. Not bad for 5 watts and no external antenna.

EMS arrived within 10 minutes from Ranchita and Sheriff and CHP from Borrego Springs. I don't know his condition, but the rider was airlifted out via Mercy Air.

It just goes to show that ham radio works when and where your cell phone won't. Now that I think of it, I could have made the call myself on that repeater, since I am a member and could have made an autopatch call. I need to memorize the autopatch commands. Oh well.

[OLLIE]

Great stuff there Tim. Thanks for sharing that with us. Those are the kind of stories that get people into Ham radio in the first place.

Hope the guy is OK...