Amateur radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world or even into space, all without the internet or cellphones. It's fun, social, educational and can be a lifeline during times of need.

Many amateur radio operators use their training, skills and equipment to provide communications during emergencies. Hams serve our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers and wired and wireless networks.

The American Legion Amateur Radio Club (TALARC) was created by resolution in 2011, and the club grew to become one of the largest in the nation. Both a hobby and a means of civil-defense communications during natural disasters, ham radio has long been an interest of veterans, many of whom served in communications roles in the military.

Due mainly to a lack of licensed ham radio operators on staff at the national level, TALARC is no longer operating as a national program. However, Legion ham radio clubs and programs continue to operate successfully at the local level.

In an effort to foster continued interest and participation in amateur radio by Legion members, Gordon-Cohen Post 157 in Logansport, La., has established a website along with a *TALARC* EchoLink Conference channel. EchoLink is a free service available to all licensed radio operators, and the conference should be able to handle up to 500 simultaneous connections. With EchoLink acting as the primary communication hub, the goal is to establish a post cooperative to facilitate and coordinate future over-the-air nets and events while informing American Legion Headquarters of participation results.

Posts and independent TALARC clubs - both national and international - are invited to join in on the weekly *TALARC* Conference Net held each Sunday night at 9 pm Central.

The American Radio Relay League is a noncommercial organization and the national association for amateur radio in the United States. Founded in 1914, the ARRL numbers within its ranks the vast majority of active radio amateurs in the nation and has a proud history of achievement as the standard-bearer in amateur affairs. For more information on how to get started as a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, visit www.ARRL.org.

For more information, visit www.TALARC.org