ROARS (Ramona Outback Amateur Radio Society)
PO Box 663
Ramona, CA 92065
(760)789-8708
These dedicated radio enthusiasts may never actually have to use the skills they practice in the event of an emergency, but if they do, we may all be grateful.
Formed in 1990, the 75 members of ROARS (Ramona Outback Amateur Radio Society) meet at the Ramona Library, 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month, except during November-December.
They also meet every Saturday (8:30-9:30) at the Ramona Café.
Yearly dues are $16.
This year's officers are:
- President: Randy Buxton
- Secretary: Richard Elling
- Treasurer: Paul Ransom
- Vice President: (open)
The purpose of ROARS is to provide communications for community events and disasters. Examples of community events where they provide radio communications include the air fair, the rodeo parade, the Crop Walk, Ramona Fair and the Christmas tree lighting party.
They also occasionally provide radio communications for Arabian Horse Society events, which can be very helpful if someone has an accident.
When people were worried about Y2K, ROARS' members were on standby and had operators at some hospitals when the century turned. They are prepared to provide emergency communications at a moment's notice with their battery-powered equipment.
Their annual field day, which involves radio operators all over the world, takes place on June 24. Members gather at a member's house and run radios 24 hours on just batteries and solar panels. They usually make hundreds of contacts during that period. It's a way of promoting the ham radio hobby and doing valuable practice.
They occasionally have auctions and fund-raisers for their annual Christmas party when they give away prizes and radios.
"We try to make the group family-oriented," said President Terry McNeill. "Typically the male is the ham operator, although we do have women. The family is not into it much, so we try to let those folks see what their dad and husband is doing."
So at the field day they have a potluck and burgers and invite the public out to see the guys operating their radios under the tent.
The group also owns a 16-foot trailer equipped with four antennas and a GPS tracking system.
ROARS got a chance to prove their usefulness recently at a fire that occurred between Escondido and Ramona. At that incident they helped Animal Rescue. They had a station at the Sheriff's substation and coordinated rescue efforts. One radio operator in a valley that Sheriff's communication couldn't reach, relayed information back from deputies in the valley.
They were also stationed at Olive Peirce School when evacuees were sent there, to give those people access to communications.
For more information, write ROARS at P.O. Box 663, Ramona, CA 92065, call 789-2364 or visit their web site at www.roars.8m.com
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