Have you ever felt you had news to share with your entire community but knew it was impossible to reach every person? Recent wildlife activities, wildfires, and extreme weather conditions are a few things that matter to us mountain folks.
Social media can help spread the word but doesn’t always reach every person in the neighborhood. Mailing letters can take days. Yelling atop a mountain won’t guarantee your neighbors will hear you, either.
Statistics claim that more Americans listen to the radio than use social media, making the radio a more powerful medium when compared to other sources. Lucky for us, Nederland is home to the Indian Peaks Radio Club (IPRC).
In 2016, Mike and Jan Mussler founded the local nonprofit club in coordination with the Emergency Preparedness Action Committee (EPAC) of the Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT). The IPRC engages all volunteer-trained mountain amateur radio operators in emergency communications. It’s also a club where new operators train to fulfill present and future needs.
Ham radio refers to amateur radio. Ham radio is a hobby and service that brings people, electronics, and communication together. According to IPRC Vice President Scott Allen, “Many people don’t even know this hobby still exists.”
Ham radio is used across the globe and can reach space without the internet or cell phones. Anyone can set up a ham radio station anywhere. Keep in mind that basic knowledge of radio technology, operating principles, and a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license are needed to set up and operate a station.
Allen also shares, “There are many reasons people get their license, but the core motivation is connecting with people: friends, family, and under adverse conditions.” Lack of signal coverage and the loss of power, internet, and phones during disasters are reasons to consider alternate communication methods.
The impact of the 2013 flood made the need for emergency communications that much more evident. To help meet the community’s emergency communications and safety needs, the IPRC constructed a 70cm repeater approximately 10,000 feet north of Nederland.
A radio repeater is a receiver and transmitter combined that receives a signal, retransmitting it on a larger scale, making it possible for us to listen to the radio. With thousands of people living and visiting our unpredictable mountains, a radio club can come in handy. Don’t you think?
It’s even nicer when an organization’s members are locals. No one knows our mountains better than the people who live in them. Indian Peak Radio Club’s President Charley Ray shares, “We have instituted a family membership and encouraged our members to get their spouses, partners, and kids licensed and involved. We’re also trying to do a better job of outreach to schools and youth groups, which I firmly believe is necessary for the future of the club and ham in general.”
The IPRC is committed to raising awareness of ham radio, educating the community, and keeping residents safe and in contact during emergencies. The IPRC is continually looking for new ways to bring more community members and neighbors into the world of ham radio.
Reaching out to youth groups and students through events and activities such as technician license courses, field days, and local events like Frozen Dead Guy Days are part of the club’s community connection and outreach.
Until recently, all I knew about radios was how to listen to one. I wasn’t even aware that the IPRC existed. The role of IPRC in our community isn’t only helpful during tragedies but has proven to be a necessity all the time.
The Indian Peaks Radio Club members:
Charley Ray, Club President - K4NYN
Scott Allen, Vice President - W0SJE
Jesse Holmes, Treasurer - K0JEZ
Rob Jones, Club Secretary, KE0SOW
Diane Stanitzski, Secretary (outgoing) - KE0FHR
John Adler, Club Trustee - KD6CFW
Raman Sinha, Webmaster - KV0N
The Indian Peaks Radio Club has a room in the west wing of the Nederland Community Center, located at 750 Highway 72 North, in Nederland. The IPRC meets on the 4th Monday of every month. To learn more visit https:// w0ned.org/site/
To stay connected, find them on social media at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064935032223
Sponsored by the town of Nederland, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
