Catholic Charities Providing help. Creating hope.

Amateur radio network calling
for volunteers for disaster response

By Judy Bokorney
Web Site Editor

A dedicated group of licensed amateur radio operators (HAMS) are working hard to make Southwest Florida a safer place to live and are looking for more HAMS to join their cause.

They are members of the Diocese (Venice) Amateur Radio Network, or DARN, 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 HAMS volunteer to man the radio stations when disaster takes place.

“As an organization that responds to disaster, without communications you are nothing,” said Bob Sullenberger KG4VDU, coordinator of the Catholic Charities Disaster Relief program and a member of DARN. (Amateur radio operators refer to themselves with their call signs after their names.) “Amateur radio networks save lives during disasters, even if phone and cell lines remain operational, they get jammed and communication is slow,” he said.

When Hurricane Charley struck Southwest Florida last year, the Venice radio station was instrumental in helping Catholic Charities staff to set up hurricane recovery sites throughout the affected areas. However, the Port Charlotte station was not so fortunate.

“We worked tirelessly to establish a radio station somewhere suitable in Port Charlotte and eventually were able to install one at St. Joseph’s Hospital,” said Aldo DiSalvo KC4NUX, a member of DARN. To save money, 14 volunteer HAMS wired the antenna to the roof of the hospital themselves, running the cable down five floors to the radio station. “It was an engineering feat. We had it up and running for one day and then Hurricane Charley struck and blew the antenna down,” said DiSalvo. The antenna was replaced immediately.

“A radio station must be located in an area where it serves large populations during a disaster. If a disaster occurs in one city another city’s station can step in if the station is damaged,” said DARN member Dave Boland W9NWY. “The facility that houses the station must have height for the antenna, accessibility during emergencies and back up power during outages,” he said.

DARN radio operators also work in collaboration with local emergency management offices during a disaster. According to Sullenberger, each radio station is equipped with an UHF/VHF ICOM IC-2720H Dual Band FM Transceiver with a 100-watt Astron RS-35A Power Supply and a Diamond X50NA Dual Band Antenna. Also, the stations feature hand-held transceivers that can offer mobility to volunteer HAMS who accompany Catholic Charities staff out in the field. “In a sense, we serve those who serve the neediest,” Boland said.

“This is an opportunity to use our talents and a hobby that we love in an important way,” said Miguel Jimenez, WB4GDX, DARN member. “You feel good when you can actually do something in a time of disaster,” he said.

Most DARN members are such amateur radio enthusiasts that they have radio stations located at their homes that can be used as backup if a DARN station is destroyed during a disaster. Their love of their hobby has proved beneficial for the Catholic Charities Disaster Response Team. Wyatt McDaniel W8HTD, a retired commercial radio station engineer has been invaluable to the DARN program offering his expertise in constructing the radio stations. Husband and wife team Regina K14AEQ and Joe KG4WHN Chickino initiated the installation of the first radio station in Venice.

“Communication is such an important part of a disaster response plan,” said Sullenberger. Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Venice and Catholic Charities USA also view the value of the radio network and have provided funding. “Catholic Charities USA is monitoring our amateur radio project for recommendation to other Catholic Charities agencies,” he said.

DARN is looking for HAMS located in the Venice, Port Charlotte and Naples areas and soon will be needing volunteers in Fort Myers and Arcadia. Anyone interested can contact Bob Sullenberger at 941-497-5422 or email him at robertvnc9@aol.com.

Photo 1: Dave Boland operates the Diocese Amateur Radio Network (DARN) at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Port Charlotte for the Catholic Charities Disaster Response Team.

Photo 2: After much effort to establish the DARN radio station at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Port Charlotte, the antenna was blown down by Hurricane Charley only one day after installation.