We got the chance to catch up with Sonoma neighbor, Dottie Remenar. Dottie is a member of the Mesilla Valley Radio Club. When Dottie is not busy with her seven grandchildren and 10, yes 10, great-grandchildren, she is a ham operator. “What is a ‘ham’ operator,” you ask. We asked that question too. The term “ham” is a dialectic nod to the term “amateur” in amateur radio. Ham Radio is the junction at which communication, technology, and people collide. For folks who are fascinated with technology, but have found themselves bored with just consuming gadgets on the shelf, amateur radio puts the user in the driver's seat, where they take a more active role in the technology they’re using. Kicking Wifi and modern devices to the curb, ham radio gives the operators the ability to communicate not just on a local or global level, but even up to outer space! When was the last time you made a phone call to space? 

Dottie found her love for radio by pursuing another one of her passions- aviation. During the 70’s and 80’s, she took flying lessons out of a fixed-base operation in Santa Fe. Getting her start in CB (Citizen Band) radio in the 1980s, Dottie earned her Technician Plus License. “At that time, you had to know Morse code to obtain a license. You no longer must meet that requirement to become an amateur radio operator… Ham radio is a technical hobby, but not one that should scare people away. If I did it, you can too,” Dottie tells us. 

These days, Dottie explores her love for radio at the Mesilla Valley Radio Club (MVRC), which got its start and became affiliated with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) in August of 1954. In April of 2017, the club was recognized by ARRL as the top radio club in the state. Currently, the club has about 150 members who meet on the first Saturday of every month. MVRC is always welcoming newcomers of all ages and emphasizes the plethora of opportunity in the field of radio. “There is no age limit and anyone, young or old can join this club . . . there are various Amateur licenses that you can obtain, each allowing you to work on different frequencies,” Dottie explains. The Mesilla Valley Radio Club is always pursuing ways to include others in the joys that amateur radio has to offer. MVRC strives to help its members to explore the world in and beyond the USA. “Our members, known as Elmers, are there to help anyone interested in obtaining a license.” 

Dottie shares one exciting opportunity on the horizon for our local ham operators: “Our club is now embarking on setting up an EME (Earth Moon Earth or Moon bounce) station, which will bounce your signal off the moon. Once completed we will have the only station of this type in the State of New Mexico.” The International Space Station carries the transceiver and equipment for astronauts to communicate with ham operators, broadening the scope of connection amongst the radio community. To operate the International Space Station, one must be a ham operator, in fact. In addition to these extra-terrestrial endeavors, radio can turn from an enjoyable hobby to a necessity in case of an emergency. Dottie explains to us the advantage that ham operators have in times of power grid failure where cell towers have failed. Ham operators can keep the lines of communication alive with people from around the world when our electronics fail us. It is during a blackout that we are reminded that the level of communication that modern technology has provided us is a luxury. It is the ham operators that are getting the message through when modern devices are out of commission. 

At the end of the day, amateur radio is centered around one main value - connecting people. Community is at the core of everything this club cultivates. “It is fascinating to talk to people of all ages and from all social classes, from all over the world,” says Dottie. We are living in an era where the world is at our fingertips. Technology has increased our capacity to connect with others in a way we never have before, making us all more globally-minded, and diversified as we increase our knowledge of the world around us. Ham operating is another exciting avenue we can take to make these connections, while also sharpening our technical skills. The opportunities are out of this world. Literally. 

Calling all ham radio enthusiasts! We are looking for passionate individuals to join our club. As a ham radio operator, you will have the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world, provide vital communication during emergencies, and be part of a tight-knit community. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, we welcome all levels of experience. Join us today and become a part of a network that is dedicated to keeping the world connected! For more information, contact Dottie at: lensic45@outlook.com.