BUCKHANNON — The Upshur County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and Upshur County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) would like to announce the creation of an amateur radio enthusiast club for our area.

The idea behind this club is to provide a group for individuals interested in amateur radio to learn, share information, and enhance skills.

We invite all interested persons in Upshur and surrounding counties to join us for the inaugural meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Buckhannon Public Safety Complex, 24 South Florida St, Buckhannon WV. If you are unable to attend in person, email scwykoff@upshurcounty.org and we will send you a link to attend virtually.

You do not need to have an amateur radio license to join us. You only need to have an interest in amateur radio.

Amateur radio (also known as ham radio) is a great hobby to get into. Not only can you meet local and regional enthusiasts, but you can even make contacts all over the world! Amateur radio does not rely on internet connections, and can be used in the event of an emergency when cell phones, internet, and even power utilities fail.

We have already partnered with Upshur DHSEM, Upshur CERT, and West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) regarding use of local resources. We are looking to partner with the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) as the group grows.

We also intend to hold various amateur radio-related events and classes in our area and work with other ham radio groups. While we would like for many in the group to become interested in emergency communications, it is not a requirement for club members. It is simply one of many opportunities we hope to provide.

Feel free to pass along this information to anyone who may be interested, or if you have questions, please contact Upshur County DHSEM Director Steve Wykoff at scwykoff@upshurcounty.org or by phone 304-472-4983.