On Saturday, Nov. 9, approximately 30 members of the Clackamas Amateur Radio Emergency Servies, the county's civilian unit from the Amateur Radio Emergency Services, took part in a simulated emergency test. The goal of the exercise was to send radio traffic and electrical messages to other participating teams within Clackamas and other Oregon counties via amateur ('ham') radio. During major disasters like earthquakes, floods and fires, conventional communication through cellular and other public networks can become inoperable and that’s where the nationwide network of ARES members comes in. In a disaster, for example, a local hospital needs to report its operating condition and needed supplies from various government agencies and supply chain organizations. These messages can be transmitted by voice, radio to radio.