By Phil Cazella, Chair, Department of California Amateur Radio Commission
The American Legion Department of California Amateur Radio Commission has launched a statewide effort to better understand and strengthen our community of Legionnaire amateur radio operators.
Across California, there are Legion members who hold FCC amateur radio licenses and quietly serve their Posts and communities through emergency communications, public service events, mentoring, and technical leadership. Many of these operators are active. Some are not currently on the air but remain licensed. Others may be newly licensed and looking for connection.
Right now, we do not have a clear picture of who and where our operators are.
That is what this effort is designed to change.
Why This Matters
Building a voluntary Department roster will allow us to:
- Identify operators across Districts and Posts
- Strengthen emergency communications coordination
- Support training and mentorship opportunities
- Connect operators with shared interests and capabilities
- Inform future Department-level amateur radio initiatives
This is not about oversight. It is about visibility, coordination, and support.
The stronger our internal network is, the better positioned we are to serve our Posts, our communities, and one another when it matters most.
Who Should Complete the Form?
If you are:
- A current FCC-licensed amateur radio operator
- A Legionnaire in the Department of California
- Active, inactive, or newly licensed
We ask that you take a few minutes to complete the survey.
Even if you are not currently active on the air, your information is valuable in helping us understand the full scope of talent and capability within our Department.
Privacy and Use of Information
Participation is voluntary.
Information collected will be used solely for American Legion amateur radio purposes within the Department of California and will not be shared outside the organization.
Complete the Survey
Please complete the roster form as soon as possible:
It takes only a few minutes to complete, and your participation directly strengthens our ability to coordinate, train, and grow.
If you know other licensed operators within your Post or District, please forward this link to them as well.
Together, we can build a clearer picture of our amateur radio community across California and ensure that our Department is organized, prepared, and connected.
Author: caLegion Contributor
The above article may contain opinions which are the author's own and may not necessarily reflect an official stance taken by The American Legion Department of California. We do our best to vet any information posted to the website. Please email webteam@calegion.org with any changes and/or corrections to anything published here.
