Bill Scott of California never imagined that a friendship sparked by a shared love of ham radios would one day put him in a position to save a life.
A dedicated amateur radio operator for over 40 years, Bill has spent decades connecting with people around the globe — and he’s even made contact with the International Space Station! For him, the hobby is far more than a pastime; it’s a passion. No matter where he goes, his compact radio travels with him.
“On Saturdays, I’ll hear check-ins from just about every part of the world,” Bill said, describing the thrill of tuning in to conversations from distant countries. The appeal isn’t just global connections — it’s also the friendships that blossom from them. But ham radio isn’t just about fun; it can also be a lifeline. Unlike cellphones or the internet, these radios work when other communication systems fail, proving vital during natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.
Bill had faced his share of emergency calls before, but one unexpected phone call in June 2021 would stand out as the most surprising and personal yet. The voice on the other end was familiar, but distorted and difficult to understand.
“It was all kind of skewed and everything,” Bill recalled. “I thought it was a prank call at first. Then, after we finally got things sorted out, he said, ‘You are an amateur radio operator?’ and I said, ‘Yeah.’ That’s when it all started making sense.”
The caller was his friend, Skip Kritcher, a fellow ham radio enthusiast from Myrtle Point, Oregon. Skip had fallen on the floor and, in a daze, accidentally called Bill instead of a family member.
“I couldn’t see the numbers too good on the cellphone,” Skip explained. “I wound up pushing the button and calling Bill.”
Thankfully, Bill’s wife, Sharon, was nearby. A retired nurse with nearly 60 years of experience, she immediately recognized the signs of a serious medical emergency.
“His speech was slurred, and my husband couldn’t seem to keep him on track. He was skipping all over and confused,” Sharon said. As the couple quickly realized Skip was likely having a stroke, the call unexpectedly dropped. Acting fast, Bill and Sharon dialed 911. Because they had been to Skip’s home before, they were able to guide the first responders directly to him.
Miraculously, the EMTs arrived just in time. “A relative of Skip’s said the EMT told her he would’ve died within a couple of hours if they hadn’t gotten there when they did,” Sharon explained.
Thanks to decades of radio communication, quick thinking, and Sharon’s medical expertise, a friendship formed through a shared hobby became the difference between life and death.
