Menifee Valley Amateur Radio Club Provides Valuable Service

The Menifee Valley Amateur Radio Club provided emergency communications for the recent Half Marathon and 5K races at Mt. San Jacinto College. Club members were deployed at crucial points along the race route to provide emergency communication via mobile radios and were networked under the control of Bert Novak, N6KUJ, the club president.

Close liaison with race officials, emergency medical personnel and law enforcement was maintained. Two runners did require paramedic attention, which was obtained via the mobile units of the ham radio emergency network at the scene.

The club was organized in 1973 as the Sun City Amateur Radio Club and was recently renamed Menifee Valley Amateur Radio Club with the goal of attracting members of all ages from over the entire area. Entry level ham licenses (technician) are now relatively easy to obtain and one of the goals of the organization is to promote growth of the hobby by assisting others to become ham operators.

The primary goal of the organization remains providing emergency and disaster communications. The race activity gave the club an excellent readiness exercise; however, all facets of the hobby are promoted and enjoyed by the membership.

For additional information, contact Bert Novak at 951-244-4580 or online at MenifeeValleyARC.org