After a major earthquake, phone service may be down, freeway bridges unusable, and lives in the balance. What to do? Ham radio operators, with a little electricity, can reach outside town. An afternoon demonstration is set for Saturday, June 23, at the Portola Valley Town Center.

The town and volunteers of the Emergency Preparedness Committee -- with the cooperation of the American Radio Relay League -- will be "in the field" between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and in communication with amateur radio operators around the country.

"Anyone interested in radio communications or emergency preparedness should come," the town says. "Ham radio is fun, and we'll be communicating with people all over the country and state."

Along with local ham operators, the Citizens Emergency Response Preparedness Program has other communication options, including basic and advanced walkie-talkies and microwave and satellite telephones.

CERPP represents Portola Valley, Woodside and nearby unincorporated communities such as Los Trancos Woods, Emerald Hills and Ladera.

For more information, write to Ray Rothrock at ray@rothrockfamily.com or Chris Raanes at craanes@comcast.net.

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