A local amateur radio operator has connected to a worldwide network of other operators, including some in Haiti.

Pat Aimers has been an amateur, or HAM radio operator for 17 years, and he's using his skills to connect Rockford to the distraught island.

He setup this afternoon at WXRX's radio station, and he's been monitoring the waves ever since.

Aimers is part of the salvation army emergency radio network and is doing his part to help stateliners affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

"If there's anyone of Haitian decent, or there's anyone that has anyone in Haiti that would like to send a message to Haiti that would like to come down to the radio station so we can do a radiogram so that we can put that into the net so that possible that person can get that traffic down there," said Aimers.

Pat will be operating out of the radio station until midnight tonight, and operations will begin again tomorrow at 7AM.

(Chip Brewster is available via email AND facebook... feel free to shoot him a message or friend him at any time)