Paul Obetkoff, a Kamsack native who returned to his home community in (1999) six years ago, after having retired from a career as a co-op manager, has been an amateur radio operator since acquiring his first license in 1972.

                A member of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Obetkoff is the service's Saskatchewan emergency coordinator and is a member of the Canora Amateur Radio Club, which is obtaining funds from district communities to allow its members to swing into action,  if and when the need arises.

                At its regular meeting last week, town council, accepting a recommendation of its Emergency Measures Organization, approved a donation of $100.00 to the club.

                The funds from Kamsack and other communities will allow the club to be in a position, so that members, in an emergency will be able to provide communication for fire, ambulance, police and rescue personnel.

Discussing his hobby on Tuesday while sitting at his desk in a room especially devoted to amateur radio in his Decorby Street home, Obetkoff provides an overview of what can be and has been done with equipment such as his.

                Using equipment valued at $5,000.00 to $6,000.00, Obetkoff explains how he maintains communications with other amateur radio operators and volunteers to be a resource for such organizations as Environment Canada, which during times of inclement weather, relies on amateur radio operators to provide and disseminate information.

                He is able to recount several incidents in the past 30 years, in which amateur radio operators were indispensable in emergency situations.

                Obetkoff explains how, if needed, his equipment can be taken from his home to his vehicle and out to the field, to provide communication service.

                In addition to promoting amateur radio in the district, Obetkoff and the Canora club raise the funds for new equipment and for upgrades to existing equipment; aim to raise awareness of amateur radio emergency services; communicate with emergency measures personnel for improvement towards a more reliable communication system, and encourage other persons interested in becoming amateur radio operators.

              A trained group of amateur radio operators willing to assist emergency services and municipal agencies, ARES members are specialists in various forms of communication modes from, computerized packet radio, long distance high frequency voice and Morse code, UHF and VHF voice and even amateur television, the club's letter to town council said.  To be an amateur radio operator, Industry Canada requires that individuals pass examinations in technical and regulatory competence.

                Club members come from various walks of life including police, fire, and ambulance services, doctors, nurses, lawyers, radio and computer technicians and former military officers, it said.  "In, exercise situations, we find ourselves being radio resource persons for officials in command post and control group locations."

                Communications are often cited as the weakest link in the command and control component of an emergency, it said.  In emergency situations, traditional systems become overloaded or are disabled, and groups who normally don't need radio communications, such as social services, need it.