Radio Field Days

There are some disasters that damage or destroy the communications in a community or even a nation such as earthquakes, tornadoes or hurricanes and mobile Ham Radio is the only means of communicating. Disaster relief needs to know what aid the community needs and people want to know if their loved ones have survived and what aid they need. In order to be prepared for any disaster that may come along amateur radio operators (Hams) hold practice maneuvers to establish communications as needed whether in our own local community or in other parts of the world.

KCARC, Kay County Amateur Radio Club, will be holding it's Summer Field Day on June 24. The communications equipment must be totally mobile, using mobile antennas and power equipment (batteries, portable generators and wind or solar power). The Summer Field Day this year will be held at the VFW building at 2821 East Prospect and the public is invited to come visit and observe the operations.

The activities will start at 9:00 AM with the set up of antennas, power supplies, computers and radios. The broadcasts using three modes of operation begin at 12:00 Noon and will continue until 5:00 PM. There will be operators using CW (sending Morse code), voice and computer modes of operation. Contacts will be made with other operators around the globe that will also be participating in the event.

In addition to practice for catastrophic events the exercise is to interest the public in the hobby and to get others involved. The group is seeking other members of the community to obtain a radio license and learn the practice of amateur radio operations. Years ago it was required to learn Morse code in order to get a license, but now you need to learn some minor electronic principles as well as radio operation procedures and laws and pass a multiple choice test. There are several husband and wives that are both operators and there is no age limit. In fact, there are some high school people who are local members.

The public is invited to come by and see the set up, observe our operations, even talk on the radio if you have the inclination. Visit with our members and see how you can get involved. Our organization has recently obtained a grant from the national Ham Radio organization ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) for outreach and training new operators. Our group meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 PM at the VFW, 2821 East Prospect. You can find us on Facebook or on our webpage at http://www.kaycountyhams. com the public is invited to come visit us.