It’s time once again for amateur Radio Field Day. This year the event falls on the weekend of June 24th and 25th. Always the last full weekend in June.
It began in the 1930’s as a test of field preparedness and emergency communications capabilities, and it still serves that function to day. On average some 30,000 operators, comprising clubs and individually licensed hams will transport their equipment to remote locations and assemble their stations to operate in conditions mimicking the conditions that would exist in the event of a disaster that would severely cripple or destroy the normal communications infrastructure.
Many of these operating areas will be in the open and accessible to the public for observation and to provide information on how and why this hobby and service works. You can see the different operating modes and systems. Obtain information on the federally issued licenses required and how to train for them, and learn how Amateur Radio can be incorporated into the S T E M programs in your local schools.
Local educators, concerned citizens, and area officials are encouraged to seek out the operating groups in your area and come observe and ask questions about Amateur Radio.
You can find the nearest operating group by going to “ARRL.ORG” and entering “locator” in the web search box. Then click on the “Field Day station Locator” A map will appear and by moving around the map you can see the markers for operating locations near you. Click on any marker and the location address, contact information and etc.will be provided . Bill Shrode KC9TFD amateur Radio Public Information Officer 94 N IL 130 Parkersburg IL 62452 618-442-7718 bill.shrode@gmail.com kc9tfd@arrl.net
