DONIPHAN — When J “Mac” Maclachlan made the career switch to communications while he was in the Air Force, he didn’t anticipate where it would eventually lead him. Now, he is in Doniphan and preparing his fellow radio enthusiasts to be available for emergency services if they are ever needed.
“You’ve got to think, in the event that something happens — whether it’s an attack of some kind or a solar storm — and the power grid goes down, your phones won’t work,” Maclachlan explained. “But my radios are 13.8 volt and they run off of a car battery. If you need to communicate and you have no phone, what are you going to do?”
Maclachlan is the president of the Doniphan Amateur Radio Club, and he explained they have a weekly “radio net” to test their equipment and to drill for emergencies.
“These radios can be a lifeline to a lot of people,” Maclachlan said. “When the eclipse comes, we would like to coordinate with local law enforcement to offer radio services as backup, if it’s needed.”
Maclachlan explained he is currently getting certified with the Federal Emergency Management Agency Introduction to Incident Command System. He further explained the certification is essentially a communications triage at the onset of a catastrophe where other forms of communication aren’t working as they should.
“It’s designed to coordinate communication with emergency services initially after a catastrophic event,” Maclachlan explained. “When I lived in Florida, we were used to situations like hurricanes and other emergency events. But here, in this smaller area, I feel like having a radio group is more important in some ways.”
While Maclachlan had previously referenced a possible future attack as a cause for emergency, he also noted there are potential other threats for this area.
“The New Madrid fault line is obviously a concern,” Maclachlan noted. “I grew up in California, so I have a very real understanding of what earthquake activity is like. When the New Madrid fault line goes, there are going to be some serious problems.”
Maclachlan noted that HAM radio operators like increased solar activity, because it actually boosts the signal; and in the event of a solar storm taking down the power grid, radios will be the best and only option available.
“Some people don’t understand how effective these radios can be,” Maclachlan said. “I can talk to friends anywhere in the world and listen to what they tell me about what is happening where they live.”
Maclachlan went on to explain that he tries to be prepared for anything, and can even construct his own antenna if necessary.
“It’s always good to have a plan B,” Maclachlan stated. “The DARC has been around for a couple years now, and we’re ready for whenever we’re needed.”
The DARC is scheduled to have their next meeting on March 9, at the Methodist Church in Doniphan.