Published: June 17, 2006 10:44 pm         

Hams set field day

Local ham radio operators will be holding a demonstration of emergency communications abilities beginning at 1 p.m. on June 24-25 at Meadowlake Park South.

Over the past year, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications in emergencies world-wide. On the weekend of June 24-25 local residents will have a chance to meet and talk with ham radio operators and see for themselves what this “radio service” really is about. The Enid Amateur Radio Club will be holding this demonstration.

This annual event, called “Field Day” is the climax of the week long “Amateur Radio Week” sponsored by ARRL., the national association for amateur radio. Using only generators, batteries or solar power, the hams construct emergency stations in parks, shopping malls and back yards to test their skills under all situations.

The slogan, “Ham radio works when other systems don’t!” is more than just words to the hams as they prove they can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis. More than 30,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last year’s event.

“We hope that people will come and see for themselves, this is not your grandfather’s radio anymore,” said Al Fox, EARC President. “It may be called ‘Amateur Radio’ because we are unpaid but that does not mean we’re not prepared!”

Over the weekend hams will be demonstrating AM, sideband, FM, digital, code and even satellite communications. Several clubs will also be experimenting with TV signals and incredibly high frequency equipment. It was from their practical experience as hams that many electrical engineers went on to develop the marvels of today’s communications.

There are 670,000 amateur radio operators in the U.S. and more than 2.5 million around the the world. Through the ARRL hams provide emergency communications for the DHS Citizens’ Corps, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA and many state and local agencies. To learn more about Amateur Radio, contact Mike Cofer at 580-242-2865 or go to www.arrl.org/newham. The public is most cordially invited to come, meet and talk with the hams. They might even help you get on the air!

The National for Amateur Radio, and all Oklahoma Amateur radio operators who are dedicated to public serice were recognized this week for their service to the communities. The proclamation from Gov. Brad Henry proclaimed June 18-24, 2006, as Amateur Radio Week. Henry recognized amateur radio operators’ “value in public assistance by providing emergency radio communications and for these services they donate to the state.” Ham radio operators typically help with communication during weather-related emergencies such as the devastating hurricanes along the Gulf coast this past year.

The highlight of amateur radio week will be “Field Day” (an emergency communications preparedness exercise), which takes place June 24-25 in locations all over the state (and through out the nation). Field Day is an annual nationwide event that was designed to test operators’ abilities to set up and operate portable stations under emergency conditions, such as the loss of electricity, during severe weather conditions, or other disasters. The event is a serious test of skill and a contest for fun, too. During the weekend the radio operators try to contact as many other Field Day stations as possible. more than 35,000 Amateur radio operators across the country participated in last year’s event. The first Field Day was held in 1933.

“Amateur radio is a lot of fun, and 2006 is the 100th anniversary of “Voice Over radio,” says John Thomason, WB5SYT (Oklahoma ARRL Section Manager) “In addition to our emergency communications preparedness, this year’s Field Day will be used to show the public the fun side of ham radio. We encourage everyone in the state to locate your local clubs Field Day operation and drop by to see what ham radio is all about. You may even get to make a few contacts while you’re there.”

To find a local Amateur Radio club, go to www.arrl.org click on the link to clubs and locate local clubs by state or zip code. There are 30 ARRL-affiliated clubs in Oklahoma; most will be holding Field Day activities.

Information on how to become involved in amateur Radio is available from ARRL, the national association for amateur radio, 225 main Street, Newington, CT 06111 or by calling 1-800-32-NEW HAM. Visit ARRL on the Web at www.arrl.org or www.hello-radio.org.