Amateur Radio Field Day

Pictured left to right: Kerry Osterholm and Chris Whitehead, KE5KTV, Grimes County Amateur Radio Group, GCARG, President. Osterholm, a Navasota resident, has a General Mobile Radio Service, GMRS, license. Both ham radio and GMRS licenses are granted by the FCC. Ham radio operators are granted a license after passing a test that shows an understanding of the technical aspects of radio propagation, laws governing various frequencies and equipment safety. A GMRS license requires no testing. Since a GMRS license holder already has an interest in radio communications, GCARG is encouraging them to take the next step and get an amateur radio license. Osterholm is interested as this would allow him to work with Grimes County organizations during an emergency.

GCARG President Chris Whitehead shared with Grimes County Emergency Management Coordinator ways amateur radio operators could communicate during an emergency. He said he is planning a simulated emergency, a train derailment, in Shiro in November. There will be a walk-through for planning in August. GCARG has been part of past Grimes County emergency exercises and Lilly said he wants the Group to participate again.