Several Friends members have asked about the availability of cell phones, Citizen's Band radios, satellite phones, and other means of communication in the Black Rock. Friends Board member David Book has been an Amateur Radio operator for about 6 years. Amateur "HAM" licenses are much easier to get than they used to be, Morse code is no longer required, and the equipment is inexpensive. Here' information on an Amateur Radio event he's leading to Black Rock Hot Springs.

HAMS at Black Rock Hot Springs for Field Day
By David Book, KD7YIM

David Book, KD7YIM, Sierra Club trip leader and Board Member of the Friends of the Black Rock will be leading a trip to Black Rock Hot Springs for ARRL Field Day, June 27 & 28, 2009. This location is near the junction of Grid Squares DN00, DN01, DN10, and DN11. According to a recent article in QST magazine, these are some of the most desired Grid Squares in the country. All of these grid squares are fairly easily accessible from the camp location. The group will also be camping in Humboldt County, one of the more desired counties, and only about 5 miles from the Pershing County line, another desirable county.

Black Rock Hot Springs is located about 25 miles northeast of Gerlach, Nevada, in the heart of the Black Rock Desert High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, one of the newest NCA's in the Country. This area contains the longest, least disturbed contiguous section of Emigrant Trail in the country. The Black Rock was a major landmark on this section of the trail and even today the area is noted for its remote location. "It's a bad place to get into trouble---your cell phone won't work in the area and it takes CareFlight over an hour to get there even if you can get word out. Amateur Radio works!" say trip leader David Book.

The area is noted for its stark beauty and sweeping vistas. Visitors should expect no services or supplies beyond what they take with them. Bring at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, be sure your spare tire is fully inflated, and go prepared! Dispersed camping is permitted almost everywhere in the NCA but there are no facilities such as water faucets, picnic tables, fire rings or other niceties as exist in developed campgrounds. Plan on taking your trash out. Trip Leader Book says "I've seen sedans at Black Rock Hot Springs and driven them there myself but feel much more comfortable with a high clearance vehicle. Even vehicles such as Subaru station wagons go in there all the time. Four-wheel drive isn't required for the trip to Black Rock Hot Springs but may be needed for other nearby locations."

"Planning and preparation are the keys to an enjoyable visit to the area" says Trip Leader Book. He's been exploring the area since the mid-1980's for fun, for the history, for Washoe County Search and Rescue, and started leading tours and camping trips to the area about 5 years ago. Recommended equipment includes a shovel, jumper cables, tow strap, hand tools, duct tape, first aid kit, toilet paper, and enough extra food and water for an extra couple of days in the desert. Oh, and whatever radio equipment is appropriate! "This will be my first Field Day event in the Black Rock but I regularly use amateur radio to talk to friends in Reno and Sparks and during the Burning Man event. My special thanks to KC7NXP who regularly listens for me when I'm in the Desert. That's what makes HAM radio so much fun, we all look out for each other."

For more information, contact David Book, KD7YIM at 775/843-6443. You must sign up by June 23, 2009. Information about the Black Rock is available at www.BlackRockDesert.org.