When it came time to go to high school, I chose to attend the regional tech school in place of the conventional high school. I thought drafting would be a good fit, but I couldn't see myself sitting in front of a computer screen all day. I thought about electronics, too, but the math was intimidating at the time. I found that I loved IT. I could tinker and experiment all I wanted. I caught on quicker than expected. I was certified in computer repair at the age of 16.Coming to Pace for Information Systems, I kind of lost my ability to tinker. I ended up working for ITS Client Support for 2 years. I have since moved on to work for the Seidenberg School of CSIS, working not only with general support and repair, but also with servers, labs, and research environments.
I have had a couple of internships since coming to Pace, the most recent being in Charlestown, MA, on the edge of Boston and on the waterfront. I drove 50 miles to and from my job every day. The traffic got me a little aggravated after awhile. I wanted a unique, accurate, and inexpensive solution. I eventually thought about CB radios. These radios were used widely in the 70s by a wide range of drivers. Today they are used mostly by truck drivers to communicate about traffic. After installing the radio, I was able to get through traffic fairly smoothly. Drivers could communicate the location of accidents, disabled vehicles, and speed traps. If a major traffic jam occurred, drivers can even suggest what lane to be in to get through faster. Out of common courtesy, I would report all of this info as well, giving any driver in up to a 10 mile radius a heads-up. I was always seeing how I could get the best range and performance.
After reading up on CB for about a month, I found out about "ham" radio. It did require an FCC-issued license, but I was intrigued. It would allow me to not only talk to people locally, but also around the world, all over a simple radio. Shortly after, I started studying for a license exam. It would cover basic electronics and radio theory as well as governing laws. About 2 weeks later, I felt I was ready. I drove to a local exam session one Saturday in Slatersville, RI. Experienced ham operators called Volunteer Examiners are in charge of issuing exams. The exam was 35 questions. I passed with little issue. I received my license about a week later.
I started off with a small hand-held radio. This allowed me to speak locally. My first contact was made to Grant. Grant was a Pace University alum. Grant and I even shared a common major of Information Systems. I spoke to him right from my dorm room in Briarcliff using a repeater (think cell tower) in Valhalla. Grant was driving in New Rochelle. He informed me that he was a member of WECA, the Westchester Emergency Communications Association. He told me I should check it out and join. I attended a meeting about a week later. What a great group! I decided to join. WECA is one of the largest and most respected groups in the country.
I was even able to get ham operators involved in a yearly cycling event I am involved in. I work in parking and logistics and saw a great advantage to this. I was able to participate as a communications chase car. A team of about 10 operators tracked approximately 300 riders. We were able to ensure the safety of the riders and keep event organizers informed. I was even able to help police officers providing detail to get information and directions from organizers. At that point I knew this was not a standard hobby, I was a trusted resource. Not long after this event, I volunteered for another event in Sleepy Hollow. It was a horse event traveling through the Rockefeller State Preserve. The Preserve has some cellular dead zones and we would serve as precautionary emergency communicators. There had been an accident the prior year, so event organizers were glad to have us. We also had a county communications truck on-site, so that any emergency call could be immediately relayed to emergency dispatch. It was a great day, luckily no accidents, but it was a great event to see.
Emergency communications is a large part of ham radio. It is actually written into FCC law. Operators have the unique ability to communicate even when conventional modes are unavailable such as cell phones or landline phones. Operators have stepped in after notable events such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. Most recently, operators have been a life-line in the Philippines. I began to follow events closely after discovering their involvement.
I had been connected with an operator named Stanley out in California through Facebook. We, as well as others, wanted to help get people in the Philippines the resources they needed. Stan wanted to send some extra radio equipment he had. We also wanted to get other operators to consider donating. I was able to get in touch with Ramon, the Vice-COO of the Philippine Amateur Radio Association and a customs officer of 24 years. I started coordinating shipments, serving as a link between operators and Ramon. I personally could not afford to send anything since shipping costs were in the hundreds of dollars.
I have decided to start studying so that I can upgrade my license. This would allow me to operate on more frequencies and communicate more easily around the world. I am grateful to have found the world of radio!
Next April, I will be providing logistical and medical communications for the Boston Marathon along-side over 150 other operators. This has been a calling of-sorts since I discovered their involvement. Attending the marathon has always been a family tradition, cheering on runners and handing out water. I wasn't able to go this year. After the events that played out, I promised myself I would not miss it again. When the opportunity to volunteer arose, I couldn't pass it up. Why be a spectator when I could work behind the scenes at the most famous marathon in the world? I have even requested to work at the finish line. See you there Boston!
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