Calling all hams- are you receiving?

PUBLIC AIRWAVES- Ham radio operator John Percival, of Moorpark, uses a Heathkit antenna tuner he assembled himself to communicate with other operators from around the country in the Amateur Radio Relay League's Field Day at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library last Saturday. Amateur radio, or "ham radio," is the most reliable means of communication when other systems fail, such as during Hurricane Katrina and the Sept. 11 tragedy. A basic radio costs about $150 and a license is $14. For more information, visit www.cvarc.org.