For Darrell Horst of Woodland, his private radio is not just a fun hobby but also a valuable service in case of emergencies.

Horst, 77, has been an amateur radio operator since 2017 and got involved primarily to keep in touch with others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, Horst — who is blind — has a communications tower at his Third Street home, chats with between 30 and 40 other operators during an “early morning roundtable,” and stays on guard in the event of emergencies.

Most operators are in the United States, but Horst says he has also been in touch with others across 110 countries.

His was a familiar story during an “emergency radio communication demonstration” held at the Yolo County Fairgrounds Saturday.

During the event, people could watch — or listen in on — emergency drills and regular communications chatter with other operators across the United States.

Nationwide, there are some 2,800 amateur stations, according to a statement by event co-chairman Bill Ragsdale, who operates as K5KN and heads up the Berryessa Radio Club in Woodland.

Club members hold weekly drills from their homes, but Saturday was an opportunity for radio operators to get together and practice using solar power under outdoor conditions.

Local radio operators used voice and Morse Code, tied into an “antenna farm” of beam, vertical, and wire antennas, which were set up on the northwest side of the fairgrounds near Rotary Park. There were more than 20 people involved in the exhibition.

This exercise has been conducted nationally since 1933. The local Field Day is a joint event between Yolo Amateur Radio Society, Berryessa Amateur Radio Club, Yolo County Amateur Radio Emergency Service, and Sacramento Amateur Radio Club.

Based on his experience, Horst knows how to handle his radio equipment, but he also utilizes an external device that speaks to him, allowing him to communicate with other operators more efficiently.

Mainly, he says, people share information on the weather and day-to-day events, but every now and then some emergency will unite operators who are then able to pass on information to individuals or government officials.

Horst feels being an amateur radio operator isn’t just “a great hobby” but an important mission that could become essential in case of a local or national emergency.