Topangans Karl Tso, KI6PCW, and wife, Deborah Ava, KJ6CRZ, members of the Topanga Disaster Radio Team (DRT) and T-CEP, were at a scouting event at Emerald Bay on Catalina Island on the weekend of October 24-25 and decided to climb a hill to see the view and if they could get into the Catalina Repeater. They heard a sound, and when Karl turned his high-powered flashlight on the source, they saw a man who had fallen 48 feet to the rocks below, bleeding and severely injured.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KARL TSO  Topangans Karl Tso and Deborah Ava assist in Catalina Island rescue. |
Fortunately, the couple had been given the details of the Catalina wide-area repeater and quickly made contact with Scott Bastian, KD6QZX, who called emergency services, and Joyce Wood, KD6HYO, who remained on standby .
Bleeding with multiple fractures, Peter Koll, 61, was evacuated by Bay Watch and airlifted to St. Mary's hospital in Long Beach later that night, according to Sgt. Tui Wright of the Lost Hills Sheriff's Department.
Tso, who grew up in Topanga, has had his Ham operator license since March, 2008; Ava was licensed in September, 2009. Both had recently attended a training session sponsored by the Lost Hills Station Disaster Communications Service Team on how to program their radios.
Tso said "It was a surreal experience that Deborah and I will never forget. We were horrified. At the same time, we strangely felt empowered, knowing that the HAM radio system works.
"Deborah and I are new to the HAM community, but would encourage others to become involved, especially in Topanga. Having grown up here, it is not if, but when we will need to rely on one another. HAM radios are a great way to keep people communicating in times of disaster."
