In the Ouachita National Forest, cell phone service was failing, but with a handheld radio running on battery power I was able to communicate with another amateur radio operator about 30 miles away.





The reason the radio at low power worked so well was the height. I was standing on the highest point in Garland county, Arkansas: Ouachita Pinnacle. From there, I was able to transmit a radio signal to a repeater with a driving distance of 35 miles away.



The green marker on the map shows where I was standing with a radio.

The red marker shows the location of the radio repeater in the city of Hot Springs. The repeater heard my transmission and sent it on to another radio operator who then replied to me. I could hear him very well from the top of the mountain.



Everywhere I go, I am glad to see reminders of the Lord.



On the top of Ouachita Pinnacle is a cross, which should remind us all that Jesus died for us, so that as he was resurrected from the dead, we also can be raised to new life.



God's Word tells us to not forget to communicate truth with our fellow man. Truth is necessary to live. I like that amateur radio can be used to communicate.... and it is free, even working in remote areas like a national forest.