Emergency Communications Program (ECHO) Designed to Empower Calabasas Residents
Emergency Communications Program (ECHO) Designed to Empower Calabasas Residents

Emergency Communications Program (ECHO) Designed to Empower Calabasas Residents

EPIC-FSC’s “Emergency Communications for Homeowners” (ECHO) program is at the forefront of building a network of skilled amateur radio operators in the City of Calabasas and its surrounding areas.

EPIC-FSC recognizes the increasing frequency of outages caused by factors such as utility pole accidents and preemptive power cut-offs like Public Safety Power Shutoffs. With hotter weather patterns leading to heightened risks, these events are becoming more prevalent. Amateur radio operators possess a wide array of radio capabilities beyond those available to the general public. These capabilities are essential for accessing real-time information and sharing it with the community in times of crisis.

These amateur radio operators play a pivotal role in bridging critical communication gaps when conventional services falter. Unlike traditional communication systems that rely on third-party providers, amateur radio operators can establish direct connections from one radio to another, eliminating the need for intermediaries.

“During emergencies such as fires or earthquakes Calabasas residents can expect disruptions in essential utilities,” explains EPIC-FSC’s spokesperson, Norm Goodkin. “That’s when amateur radio operators can step in to relay vital messages between the city and its residents. Additionally, they can establish communication with operators in neighboring municipalities, ensuring a coordinated response.”

With state-of-the-art radio equipment capable of operating at significantly higher power levels compared to other FCC-regulated radio services, Amateur radio operators can provide vital information to neighbors and city officials. With amateur radio’s capacity to handle up to 1500 Watts, EPIC-FSC is harnessing a level of power far surpassing conventional communication methods.

man using a laptop to communicate via amateur radio

Goodkin shared an illustrative example of a recent drill. In a test conducted between himself and Logan Brashaer, a ham radio operator in Malibu, communication was initiated at 100 Watts and seamlessly transmitted a text message to Logan’s station. In an attempt to establish the minimum required power level, Goodkin reduced the power to an astonishing one-tenth of one Watt. In this experiment, the radio signals traveled through the ionosphere, situated 150 miles above the Earth, to reach over the Santa Monica mountains. This technique, also used by the military, surpasses the capabilities of typical city and fire department communication systems.

“Amateur radio operators don’t always need to flex their 1500 W muscles,” Goodkin explained. “They routinely make long distance contacts via the ionosphere, where recent breakthroughs in digital data transmission have made it possible to send messages at substantially lower power then previously thought possible.”

In times of crisis, text messages are often preferred for their speed and accuracy over voice communication. EPIC-FSC’s experiments have showcased the tremendous potential of using radio waves to transmit text messages without the need for repeaters. The radio waves traveled directly from one radio to another via the ionosphere, showcasing the exceptional capabilities of amateur radio operators.

EPIC-FSC’s ECHO program is not only enhancing emergency communication but also contributing to the safety and preparedness of the Calabasas community in times of need. As a local nonprofit, EPIC-FSC continues to lead in fostering a resilient and connected community. For more information about EPIC-FSC and its Emergency Communications for Homeowners program,

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