Ham radio hobby popular in Anderson

Dialed in:
Ham radio operator Mac McCulley of Anderson tunes in a British broadcaster with whom he likes to ‘chew the rag.’

Around the world, people get into the amateur radio hobby simply to talk to others.

"It's a fun hobby, and it's a social thing," Amateur Radio Club of Anderson (ARCA) president Mac McCulley said. "It's people meeting people."

Amateurs can get into the "ham" radio hobby cheaply enough. Gear capable of reaching Sacramento is available for as little as $50, according to McCulley, whose call sign is W6MAC.

Communication is difficult in many parts of the mountainous north state.

"A lot of times, cellphones aren't worth beans," McCulley said.

For that reason, ARCA members provide several community services. They provide communication outposts for endurance sports events such as the Anderson River Park Century, a 100-mile bicycle ride, as well as similar bicycle rides at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

They also provide back-up communications in case of telephone failure in case of emergencies.

Public service applications aside, most people get hooked on the hobby are "rag chewers, people who just like to talk to each other," McCulley said.

"I'm keenly interested in speaking to people in different areas all over the world," Gus Silva, 88, of Anderson said. He cited Japan, Australia and Italy as a few of the distant places he finds conversation on his radio.

After getting into the hobby in the 1930s, Gus joined the U.S. Navy and received schooling in electronics and radio before serving in WW II.

"And I've been practicing ever since," he added.

The 62-member group includes people from all over Shasta County. The club holds regular testing for licensing at the Anderson VFW. For more information, call 244-6456.