STRUTHERS - The Struthers Regional Operators of Amateur Radio partnered with the Rotary Club of Struthers to host a Mid-Winter hamfest where radio enthusiasts sold old and new radio parts as well as spread awareness of amateur radios, also known as ham radios.

The Struthers Regional Operators of Amateur Radio, also known as Struthers ROAR, is a group of amateur radio operators who provide communication services to Struthers and the surrounding communities.

President Ken Goist says the group practices in case of a disaster that severs regular communication networks.

"We actually have a repeater here locally that covers about five communities here locally," he said. 

Goist adds that the group also performs non-daster communication for local businesses if needed.

"We helped a business in town that had over 300 bikes show up, and we did traffic control for them," he said.

To operate an amateur radio, a user must be certified by the Federal Communications Commission and receive a call sign that identifies the user.

ROAR provides training to those who would like to take a license exam.

Struthers Rotary Club President Ryan Goist says the Hamfest is a good way for new amateur radio operators to learn about the technology.

"They feel more comfortable seeing the product. and even talking to some of these guys that have been doing it for years instead of just buying something online that they're not sure would be compatible with their equipment," he said.

Other amateur radio organizations attended the event such as the American Radio Relay League, a nationwide group of amateur radio operators.

Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator Bret Stemen says that amateur radio operators also help agencies such as the National Weather Service to identify local weather patterns, especially in sparsely populated areas far from a weather station.

"If it wasn't for an amateur radio, or a phone call to 911, or the national weather service, they may not have known, they could be missing it," he said.

The ARRL reports that there are 738,578 licensed amateur radio operators in the United States, as well as over 26,000 in Ohio.