By Lori Baker, Communications Volunteer

With the donation of a ham radio, the American Red Cross Flagstaff office staff and volunteers will be able to communicate more easily about disasters in Arizona, across the nation and even the world.

Bob Wertz (NF7E), vice president of the Northern AZ DX Association, received the Kenwood ham radio, which was used for decades by a member, Jack Lunsford (NT7MM) who died at 94 years old. His daughter wanted the prized radio to be put to good use so she donated it. The DX association in turn gave the radio to the Red Cross. DXing is a hobby that involves receiving or making contact with distant radio signals, originating from the Morse code term “DX” for distance.

After the ham radio is installed in the Red Cross Flagstaff office, a portable radio will be moved to the Pinetop/Show Low Red Cross office to improve communications there.

“Ham radio provides emergency broadcasts when everything is down,” said Denny Preisser (KC3DTB), a Red Cross recruitment specialist for Northern Arizona and New Mexico. “They are more powerful than portable radios and can be used to communicate around the globe. Lately, there has been a resurgence of ham radios with wildfires and other disasters.”

Ham radio operators, often part of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, are crucial volunteers who support the Red Cross and other public safety groups. They fill critical communication gaps, allowing the Red Cross to effectively deliver aid and support communities during emergencies when phones and internet fail. Operators often volunteer to set up networks for shelters, hospitals, and emergency officials and use their own equipment to bridge communication gaps.

Go to redcross.org/aznm to learn how you can donate your time, money and blood.