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With a ham radio apparatus powered by solar panels and a car battery, Joseph Clarke was able to reach the Rockies. Through thick static at a covered station outside ScienceWorks, Clarke heard rumblings of a voice. "QSL?" Clarke asked. No response. Clarke tried two more times, asking the transmitting voice for his call sign, then set down the microphone. A minute later the voice was back with his station code. A muffled "4A-Colorado" can be heard The minimally powered "get on the air" or GOTA station is one of several stations hosted by local hobbyist radio operators through the Cascade Amateur Radio Enthusiasts and Rogue Valley Amateur Radio Club, as part of "field day" events organized by the national Amateur Radio Relay League, and serving as an open house for the hobby. Events continue through 11 a.m. Sunday. Clarke, club president of CARE, said his interest is transmitting using LP or "low power" apparatus. John Laybourne, vice president of the Rogue Valley Amateur Radio Club, used a high-power 10,000 watt setup needing a gas-powered generator for the off-the-grid event. "I call him a cheater, he calls me a wimp," Clarke joked. Laybourne said he enjoys chats with people unknown in scheduled chats, called "skeds" or operator-controlled conversations called "nets." Sometimes they'll discuss their radio setups, while other times just describing what's going on wherever they are. "We talk about anything," Laybourne said. In an era where Wi-Fi and LTE have made global communication as simple as a smartphone tap, Laybourne said he likes the structure and the unpredictable nature. "There's challenge to it," Laybourne said, adding that "you never know who you're going to reach." The hobby requires an FCC license, but CARE member Curt Hadley said getting involved is inexpensive. The club's next licensing class series is set for July 21. The class is free, though the training books are $45. More info is at carehamradio.com . Once licensed, participants can get started with radios as inexpensive as $30 from Amazon. Hadley said his interest started out of concern for a looming earthquake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone. If a major earthquake takes out power grids and telecommunications networks, amateur radio will still work, Hadley said. "We can set up our radios and communicate outside of the valley," Haldey said, describing communication to Salem should disaster strike. Jackson County Emergency Communications was also at the event, showcasing the advanced radio equipment they can deploy from a converted ambulance if the county emergency manager deploys them. There are about 22 volunteer radio operators, according to Assistant Emergency Coordinator Dave Grotting. More volunteers are always welcome. "We need all the members we can get," Grotting said. Volunteers must have their FCC amateur radio credentials, conduct a handful of FEMA courses and pass a background check through the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. More information is available at jcares.net . Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat.