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Ham radio enthusiasts gather for field day |
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Written by Brian McCormack
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Tuesday, 30 June 2009 |
In the event of an emergency, the last line of defense may be amateur radio.
Local amateur operators, also known as hams, gathered at Newman Park on Saturday to take part in the 2009 ham radio field day. The event is designed to allow hams to set up in an outdoor area, just as they would if an emergency situation struck the area, and their services were needed.
The small group of hams, who are part of the Nolan County Amateur Radio Association (NCARA), erected a radio transmission tower, and the public was invited to see exactly how this technology is still relevant in today's age of 24-hour information.
There are about 650,000 licensed ham radio operators in the US, with millions worldwide. When all other forms of communication are down, ham radios can play an invaluable role in helping to coordinate emergency services with local agencies and the general public. During Hurricane Katrina, dozens of hams responded and served as volunteers to help with everything from weather updates to traffic evacuations.
NCARA members frequently assist the National Weather Service (NWS) with storm spotting and communications to and from the local NWS stations. "We can link in via radio to the weather service," explains Gary Armstrong, a local ham radio operator. "We're all spotters for the national weather service. We can also provide health and welfare updates free of charge."
Ham radio is also versatile, as the field day suggests. "We all have these setups in our houses," Armstrong said. "We can set up anywhere, like we did today, or we can even go mobile." The mobile transmission is what makes it possible for the NCARA to serve as storm trackers. With vehicles outfitted with transmission capabilities, the hams can follow the storm, staying safe via radio locations, and transmit developing information to the proper authorities. The program, called Skywarn, is an all-volunteer effort by local ham operators.
Field days, such as the one held Saturday, allows for local groups to test their communication skills nationwide. In about 45 minutes, local ham Ken Elliott was able to make contact with fellow operators from Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Washington state, among other places, showcasing their ability to easily communicate with locations thousands of miles away.
Should an emergency occur in Nolan County, such as if a tornado headed toward the city of Sweetwater, ham radio can communicate when other forms are effected. "We have a station at the Sweetwater Fire Department," Armstrong said. "We are always ready to help in an emergency situation is needed."
Operating a ham radio does require a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and costs about $14 to take the test for the first stage of radio clearance. The NCARA meets on the last Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Sweetwater Fire Department, and anyone interested in learning more about amateur radio is welcome to attend. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 July 2009 )
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