Ham radio operators from the Sun Coast Amateur Radio Club Society on the Sunshine Coast will participate in a national amateur radio exercise from 10 a.m. Saturday until 3 p.m. at Camp Byng in Roberts Creek, June 22. This event is an ARRL Field Day, an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by the National Association for Amateur Radio in the US, see more at www.arrl.org/FieldDay.
Hams from all areas of North America and across Canada participate in Field Day by establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service. They use radio signals that reach beyond borders to bring people together while providing essential communication in the service of communities. Field Day events highlight ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any condition from almost any location, to create an independent wireless communications network.
Ham radio operators from Gibsons to Egmont on the Sunshine Coast will use radio stations set up in their homes or taken to their backyards and other locations to operate individually or with their families. Many hams have portable radio communication capability that includes alternative energy sources such as generators, solar panels, and batteries to power their equipment.
This year’s event is noteworthy because of a particularly active hurricane season and dramatic weather changes being experienced worldwide.
“Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers,” said Larry Peterson, VA7LSP. “Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems and a station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others,” Peterson added.
During a recent event, more than 26,000 hams participated from thousands of locations across North America. According to ARRL, there are more than 750,000 licensed operators in the US, and according to Radio Amateurs Canadawww.rac.ca, more than 73,000 in Canada.
Among the tenets of the Amateur Radio Service is developing and practicing skills in radio technology and radio communications, and even contributing to international goodwill. Hams range in age from as young as nine to older than 100. License guides are available from ARRL and RAC, Radio Amateurs of Canada. For more information about ARRL Field Day and ham radio, contact Larry Peterson, VA7LSP or go to scarcs.ca.
