"NEWS photo Stuart Davis NORTH SHORE Amateur Radio Club member Doug Docherty com- municates on a radio, Blair Thompson works on computer information and Brian Lagden looks over the situation during a recent ‘‘field day"’ exercise. Lagden says the club would play a vital role should a major disaster strike the North Shore. Abbey Customiser 4” Mini blinds Sale ends July 34/90 A ‘SH Ml DE BETTE Rr 4877 Marzine Drive, North Vancouver Parking in rear FAX: 984-4178 934-4104 25 - Sunday, July 22. 1990 - Nosth Shore News Focus on Angus Ree PAGE 32 THE NORTH Shore has been fortunate in that it has not had to experience a major disaster such as an earthquake. But experts say the Vancouver wrea is due for a major quake, and, as with past big earthquakes, like the shaker that rocked the San Francisco Bay area earlier this year, most forms of communica- tion are generally knocked out. If, and when, a major earth- quake does hit Vancouver and the North Shore, local emergency ser- vices will be put into action. But while the RCMP, fire and ambulance departments on the North Shore would take charge in an emergency, there is another, less visibie group of people who would also play a vital role in responding to the situation. The North Shore Amateur Radio Ciub (NSARC) would round up its members and begin doing what they do best: setting up communications and linking people and services together. In fact, says Brian Lagden, the club's immediate past president Per and current membership director, the NSARC is already preparing for such an emergency situation. Lagden was one of several club members who took part in a mock earthquake situation organized recently by the North Vancouver City Fire Department. “They put on a three-day semi- nar and simulated an emergency. We had an earthquake and all the phones and power were out,"’ says Lagden. “It was quite something. By the end of it we were sweating.” Lagden adds that the club would like to attract new members and make the public aware of the vital role an amateur radio club can play in an emergency. “We'd like to get the poiat across that emergency com- munication is not only valuable | non h 8 | ces MS en ‘ aeane ieee “ee ait Sas Reun OS CABINET S but also very interesting. There could be a situation where all the power and systems go,’’ says Lagden. ‘‘With our system we have the capability to select fre- quencies and talk to people you normally wouldn't be able to.”” Most of the club members have their own ham radios, and Lagden says in Canada you need to have a licence in order to operate a ham radio. But new members interested in joining the NSARC do not necessarily need to have a licence. While the NSARC started in October 1987, the 70-year-old Lagden has been working at his ham radio hobby for over 50 years. “I’ve been at it since I built my first crystal set in 1933. 1 read an article in a children’s encyclopedia that made me want to build a crystal set. Then I got into short-wave receivers and it just grew from there,’’ says Lagden. Anyone interested in joining the NSARC can contact Lagden at 922-8746. LTE). or over a decade Reynolds has created classic kitchens for thousands of satisfied customers. Consider the depth of professionalism you get by doing business with Reynolds Cabinet Shop. * Quality professionai design staff * High industry standards for your cabinet installation %* Manufacturer of our own cabinets %* Dealer of other local manufacturers * Our own Construction Division with competent trades people * A Network of established local businesses to assist us in all phases of the renovation industry. * * Above all we offer affordable quality * For a free in-home estimate Please call 985-9527 Fax 985-1452 1300 Lloyd Ave., North Vancouver = PEMBERTON AVE.