Direct RF
Local simplex, reachable repeaters and corridor coverage.
Amateur radio
K6RCS
Radio is useful when the connection has a purpose.
Amateur radio, field communications, APRS, HF, VHF/UHF, digital modes, travel planning and the stubborn pleasure of making RF work.
Operating identity
Randall Stone has been licensed in amateur radio since 2004. The operating stack includes the Yaesu FT-5DR, Kenwood TM-D700A, Icom IC-756 Pro III, FT-897D, openSPOT4 Pro and QSO One, with direct RF preferred whenever it meets the mission.
K6RCSAPRSC4FMHFVHF/UHFDMR cross-modeM17AllStar
Golden Empire Amateur Radio Society
Randall and Krista Stone each served more than a decade on the GEARS board. Randall served as President, Krista as Secretary, and Randall taught licensing classes for roughly a decade.
Operating doctrine
RF wins whenever reachable.
Direct voice and reachable RF come first; internet-linked systems are useful bridges, not substitutes for understanding the radio path.
Network radio
QSO One for fixed-site software access; openSPOT4 Pro when a physical radio or cross-mode workflow is the right tool.
Field awareness
Weather, APRS, satellite, aviation and public-safety receive layers kept distinct from transmit privileges.
Radio in the rest of life
Field communications make more sense when you actually go places.
Travel, mountains, weather, family logistics and public-service experience are why the communications stack exists. The radios are tools carried into a larger life, not a hobby room sealed off from it.
Photo still wanted: a wide, current photo of the operating desk/radio shack and one field photo with Randall actively using a radio. The site is fully functional without them; those two images would make this section materially stronger.