Serving those across the globe

When Bill Huntimer retired from more than two decades in the military, his service to others didn’t end.

An antenna stands out along the tree line near Huntimer’s Dell Rapids home, which is the tip of the iceberg for his ham radio setup that he uses to connect people.

“I enjoy doing it and helping people out, making contact, especially in emergencies,” Huntimer said.

Through Huntimer’s radio, he has spoken with people across the world from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica to presidential helicopters to destroyers floating in the ocean. Huntimer said he can communicate with radios on the other side of the globe and “patch” them with families via a phone line.

He’s the go-between.

With the advent of the internet and cell phones, Huntimer – a Dell Rapids St. Mary High School graduate – said he doesn’t perform 60 to 65 patches a night like he used to – in 1994 alone, he said he ran about 2,500 patches – but he said ham radio is still relevant and useful.

When Hurricane Katrina hit the southern coast of the United States in 2005, Huntimer said he helped men and women relay information to their loved ones that they were safe. In a similar manner, he assisted a ship by helping it communicate with a tug in the harbor during an earthquake in California, so it could dock safely.

The west wall of Huntimer’s radio room features certificates for a variety of radio patches he’s done.

Ham radio means amateur radio, so if Huntimer received monetary compensation he’d lose his license. He does it to serve others, instead.

Huntimer’s wife, Evelyn Huntimer, is supportive of his hobby.

“It’s really nice, and he’s got a lot of stories about people that he’s talked to,” she said.

During a natural disaster, communication systems can fail because of overload or infrastructure failure, according to the American Legion website. Ham radio bands have more available frequencies and less chance to get overloaded.

Huntimer’s military service began in 1950, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

“I was at the draft age, and I wanted to go into something that I wanted,” Huntimer said. “I always wanted to be in the Marines, so I joined instead of waiting to be drafted by the Army.”

In Korea, Huntimer said he was involved in four engagements. After nine years in the Navy, he was honorably discharged, but he decided to return to the military by joining the Navy SeaBees as a tank mechanic.

During his time on Midway Island – about 2 1/2 years – in the North Pacific Ocean, he passed his ham radio licensing test.

“I was always interested in electronics,” he said. “It always fascinated me.”

Huntimer is one of about 3,000 members of The Ameican Legion Amateur Radio Club, and he runs a net on the second Saturday of every month. During the net, Huntimer broadcasts his call sign, KI0CW, and others can reply with theirs.