Amid the routines of everyday life in Sandy lies a network of unsung heroes prepared to leap into action when disaster strikes. These are the members of the Sandy Amateur Radio Club, a dedicated group of amateur radio enthusiasts who play a crucial role in emergency communications, ensuring that vital lines of communication remain open when conventional methods fail.

On April 18, the Sandy Amateur Radio Club (SARC) participated in the Great Utah Shake Out in conjunction with Sandy City Emergency Management. The Great Utah Shake Out, an annual event designed to simulate a major earthquake scenario, isn’t just about theoretical preparation; it’s a practical test of the organization’s ability to step in when modern communication infrastructures like cell towers and internet connectivity are compromised.

“It’s about getting the information out to the community to enable people in the community to get information they need to make good decisions, and also to get information they need about where resources are,” said Carroll Mays, vice president of the SARC and retired police officer. He emphasized that their primary mission is to fill the gap left by traditional communication methods during emergencies. When repeaters, devices that boost signal strength, fail due to disaster-related infrastructure damage, the ham radio operators of Sandy use simplex communication, a direct radio-to-radio method, to maintain essential lines of communication between different community sectors.

In times of crisis, such as wildfires or earthquakes, ordinary communication channels can quickly become overwhelmed or disabled. Ham radio operators provide a robust backup, enabling officials to communicate with affected communities and coordinate emergency responses effectively.

In the event that cell service goes down during an emergency, residents can visit their local elementary school to communicate with ham radio operators and get vital information on shelters, food, emergency supplies and family members outside the Sandy area.

“As an emergency communicator, once I make the ham radio contact to somebody outside the disaster area who has cell phone service and internet service, that’s golden, because I can use that person,” Mays explained. “And these people are willing to do this. They will make phone calls. They will contact anybody that you want in order to get the message out.”

During the Great Utah Shake Out, the club successfully coordinated 98 radio check-ins and utilized Winlink, a system for sending emails via ham radio, to establish contact with neighboring amateur radio clubs and emergency operations centers across the valley. This exercise demonstrated their ability to relay critical information and coordinate responses, even under challenging conditions.

Each city in the region has its own amateur radio club, and they collaborate closely with county-level emergency services through organizations like ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service). This interconnectedness ensures that during a crisis, resources and expertise can be pooled to respond swiftly and effectively.

The commitment of Sandy City’s ham radio operators extends beyond occasional drills. They conduct weekly nets (on-air meetings) to ensure equipment readiness and participate in events like “Field Day,” where they test high-frequency communications capabilities under simulated emergency conditions. These activities not only hone their skills but also reinforce their readiness to assist in real-world emergencies.

For those interested in getting involved, the SARC hosts monthly meetings and provides guidance on obtaining FCC licenses, a prerequisite for operating amateur radio equipment. Those interested in learning more about ham radio or joining the SARC can find more information by visiting
sandyarc.wordpress.com. λ