We are nationally accredited by the Council On Accreditation. Click on logo for more information.
Catholic Charities has received top ratings from Charity Navigator. Click on logo for more information.
Amateur Radio Network
Calling for volunteers and equipment for disaster response
A dedicated group of licensed amateur radio operators are working hard to make Southwest Florida a safer place to live and are looking for more to join their cause.
They are members of the
Disaster Amateur Radio Network (DARN) of Catholic Charities, Diocese of
Venice, a group of UHF/VHF radio stations that assist the Catholic Charities Disaster Response Team. The network has base stations in Venice, Port Charlotte, Naples, Fort Myers and Arcadia. The network, however, can only happen if more operators volunteer to man the radio stations when disaster takes place.
Licensed Amateur Radio Operators are especially needed to operate fully equipped UHF/VHF
base stations located Naples and Port Charlotte. There are no meetings or dues. An on-air exercise is conducted once a month to ensure reliability of the operator, equipment and repeater frequency.
The radio network also is in need of UHF/VHF/HF radio
transceivers, amateur radio amplifiers and power supplies in good
condition and operational.
“As an organization that responds to disaster, without communications you are nothing,” said Bob Sullenberger, coordinator of the Catholic Charities Disaster Response Program and a member of
the radio network. “Amateur radio networks save lives during disasters, even if phone and cell lines remain operational, they get jammed and communication is slow,” he said.
For more information contact Bob Sullenberger KG4VDU at 941-497-5422 or email bob.sullenberger@verizon.net.