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 25-26 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. Buchanan County Amateur Radio Club (BCARC) will be holding a practice of emergency communications the afternoon of June 25th.

This annual event, called “Field Day” is the climax of the week long “Amateur Radio Week” sponsored by the 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.

“This event provide us an opportunity to practice establishing communications with surrounding counties, states even other countries under adverse conditions”, stated club president Clair Franzen. “This is part of our comment to serve the community and assist Emergency Management.”.

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 US, and more than 2.5 million around the world. Through the ARRL hams provide emergency communications for the DHS Citizens’ Corps, Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA and many state and local agencies.

To learn more about Amateur Radio contact Clair Franzen at 563 932-2099, email KC0RFN@arrl.net or go to www.arrl.org/newham. Visit the Buchanan County Amateur Radio Clubs web site at www.bcarc.net. Local amateurs will be able to contact club members utilizing the county repeater during the event..