"CQ, CQ, CQ, calling CQ for a come back.” That’s amateur ham radio speak for “calling someone to chat.” Central California Adventists amateur radio operators are using the radio waves to spread the three angels’ messages each day.

Every morning at 5:30 a.m. for 47 continuous years, the West Coast Bible study group meets to pray and study God’s Word. The material has remained the same — Bible Readings for the Home. Currently, the radio band address is 3.974.00 MHz.

“We go through the book about two and one-half times each year,” says Harold Keniston (KA6ENC), the group’s network coordinator, from Visalia, Calif. “About 40 percent of our group are from other denominations.”

From British Columbia, Canada, to San Diego, Calif., an average of 20 amateur ham radio enthusiasts check in to participants each day. “There really is no way of knowing how many people are listening throughout each year,” says Keniston. The Bible Readings for the Home are free upon request.

“It’s wonderful. We wouldn’t do it if it [the fellowship] wasn’t part of it,” says Rodney (WB6QDN) and Barbara (WB6QDK) Benson, who also readily gift a 3ABN and Hope satellite dish to interested listeners in various states. Though never expected, recipients often repay the Bensons out of gratitude.

Friendships are made, personal visits are scheduled and there are baptisms, too — like John, his family and then their extended family members: Guy, a police officer; and Darryl, who listened for two years before ever taking an active part in the daily prayer and study.

Says Keniston, “Jesus said, ‘My Word shall not come back void.’”

For more information about the West Coast Amateur Radio Bible Study Group Hamfest, with featured speaker Siegfried Neuendorff (KC6ZZZ) at Monterey Bay Academy June 30 to July 2 contact Bill Hardt (WA6TVU) at 559-568-2941 or blhardt@oscnet.net. Drafted into the Nazi Youth Corps at age 10, Neuendorff's life story is spell-binding. The “His Envoys” quartet from Pleasant Hill, Calif., will sing, too.