Have you always wanted to be a ham radio operator?
If so, now is your chance!

Why— The Mountain Emergency Radio Network (MERN) needs ham radio operators in Gold Hill! MERN was started right after the Four Mile Fire to meet this basic need. Most of the other mountain towns have a bunch of operators by now. We are catching up! MERN is a part of BCARES, the Boulder County Amateur Radio Emergency Services, which works with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

What–Your Job as Radio Operator: communicate with other mountain radio operators in other parts of our mountain area and with emergency radio operators on the plains. Interface with emergency personnel. Relay vital information to the community and emergency responders. There is nothing more important in a mountain emergency than communications and it’s always the weakest link. When phone and internet go down, radio is all we have. Communications save lives! It was hugely important during the Flood in heavily hit areas.

How–You are invited to attend basic training this January 18 and 19, four hours each day, streamlined so you can take the exam for the basic license at the end of Sunday’s training day! There is no charge. Gold Hill is looking to fund the radios so we can loan each radio operator their own equipment. MERN holds ongoing trainings here in the mountains for its operators.

Get involved–Email Pam to put your name on the list: pamsher123@nullmsn.com with MERN Trainingin the subject line.

Thank you for considering being a vital part of Gold Hill and Mountain Emergency Radio Services!