(Source: Life in Solera, August 2023)  

Who are those guys wearing yellow vests in the clubhouse? Are they part of the security guard forces? Do they help the groundskeepers at Solera?

No to all of those thoughts. Those fellas in the yellow vests with the words “Solera Radio Club” imprinted on their backs are practitioners of emergency wireless communications. What the heck does that mean? Well, when your cellular telephones become unusable, those guys are poised to provide alternative communications to local public safety agencies (police departments, fire departments, and other first responders).

Members of the Solera Radio Club have well-maintained radio equipment that will connect with the main public emergency communication centers in Indio, Riverside, and San Bernardino.  Their radios are far more powerful and capable than the inexpensive yellow walkie-talkies of the past. (Known as Family Radios at Walmart).

These guys practice their emergency communications skills weekly at the clubhouse and from their homes in Solera. Their dedication to the art of radio communication is not for recreation; they use their radios to ensure that those living in Solera have a means of reaching out during a disaster event.

As a means to backing up common wireless communications, the Solea Radio Club built a radio network for the use of ALL residents living in Solera (no license required).  This robust radio network will allow residents to instantly connect with other residents, property management staff, and security. The Solera Emergency Radio System is based out of the clubhouse radio room (underneath the two large white antennas mounted on the roof of the clubhouse).

For more information, talk to those guys in the yellow vests or call them at (951) 330-2460.

TRIVIA ANSWER FOR JULY:

Question:  Aside from satellites, what other objects in space can Ham Radios call?

Answer: International Space Station (ISS)

Some ISS crew members make random, unscheduled, amateur radio voice contacts with earth-bound radio amateurs, often called "hams". They can make radio contacts during their breaks, pre-sleep time and before and after mealtime. Astronauts have contacted thousands of hams around the world.

TRIVIA QUESTION THIS MONTH (Answered next month)

What radio station was the first to broadcast a live baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies on August 5, 1921?

This article was brought to you by Ray C. Gayton-Jacob (N6KZM) ray.n6kzm@gmail.com The Solera Radio Club is part of the West Riverside County - Amateur Radio Emergency Radio Service (ARES) Division/Banning Pass District.