Chautauqua Amateur Radio Service first began in 2012, formed in memory of a local member, Debrah Nelson, who was very active in the club. The group provides emergency communications and are involved in events such as Gus Macker and the Grand Fondo and helping during the Turn the River Green Event for St Patrick’s Day in the city. The group works to be available to provide information to emergency services when needed.

They meet once a month at the Kennedy Free Library and can also provide amateur radio licensing tests for those looking to get their licenses.

Current secretary of Chautauqua Amateur Radio Service and president of the Marshal Martz Memorial Astronomical Association, Inc, Corey Swanson, said the group also does things like a jamboree on the air and a visit to Boy Scouts camp Mers to teach the Boy Scouts about amateur radio.

The group is currently working on a partnership with the Observatory due to sharing many members.

Bob Swanson, KD2PZV and Corey Swanson, K2CJS operate the radio service. Submitted photo by Jared Paxton Photography

“Several members of CARS are also members of the Observatory,” Swanson said. “The Observatory is also close to the highest point in Chautauqua County. We have always been looking for a permanent location and there is a lot in common with what radio services do and astronomy. Radio astronomy has become a big deal.”

The partnership with the Observatory will allow for Chautauqua Amateur Radio Services to have a permanent location at the Observatory and to partner with them for different events. Swanson said there is a Citizen Zion opportunity from NASA that helps citizens get involved in different projects, such as observing variable stars through radio signals. Swanson said the group will help with science research through the Observatory.

One such event that the two organizations will be partnering for is the American Radio Relay League Field Day, set for June 22 and 23. On the fourth weekend of June every year, thousands of amateur radio groups and clubs gather across the United States in their local locations with the purpose of a contest to see who can get in contact with as many people across the country as possible. The Chautauqua Amateur Radio Services will be operating from the Observatory from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday.

“You try to make as many contacts throughout the US as you can,” Swanson said. “Every state is participating with several stations in each state and you get points based on how many you contact, with prizes from the ARRL.”

New York State has a similar competition, Swanson said, where stations try to make as many contacts throughout the state in each county.

Pictured are Chautauqua Amateur Radio Service members, Scott Rise, KB7QPU, John Philhaber, W2HCQ, and Terry Rea, W2REA. Submitted photo by Jared Paxton Photography

In the future, Swanson said he hopes the partnership will allow for the group to help promote science education with the Observatory.

“I hope we are able to work out an agreement to work together to promote science education,” Swanson said. “People can look with telescopes but they can use radio signals as well. We want to get more people interested in each organization, so astronomers interested in radio and radio people interested in visual astronomy.”

Swanson welcomed the community to come to the Observatory during the weekend of June 22 to see how Chautauqua Amateur Radio Services operates and learn about the event and observatory.

“People can use the telescopes and go on a tour,” Swanson said. “Both groups will be active that day. Stop by and check it out.”