Ham radio operators broadcast Field Day as learning experience

Josh Estrella
Posted 6/25/15

Rhode Islanders of all ages will be able to attend a unique “Field Day” the weekend of June 27-28 and learn about Ham radio and the services it provides around the world. A popular hobby and …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Ham radio operators broadcast Field Day as learning experience

Posted

Rhode Islanders of all ages will be able to attend a unique “Field Day” the weekend of June 27-28 and learn about Ham radio and the services it provides around the world. A popular hobby and invaluable tool, amateur radio (Ham radio) is a service operators use to communicate with areas all around the globe. Often used in times of catastrophe, Ham radio is an emergency communications tool when all other modes of communication fail.

Field Day is being hosted by the Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club (BVARC) and sponsored by the National Association for Amateur Radio known as the American Relay Radio League (ARRP). It will be held at the Scituate Senior Center on 1315 Chopmist Hill Road. Radio operations begin at 2 p.m. on June 27 and continue on until 2 p.m. on the 28th. Ham radio operators are federally licensed and will be present using the communications systems, explaining what they do and even helping visitors try out the radio themselves.

According to the AARP regional manager of Rhode Island, Bob Beaudet, Field Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth weekend of June every year. Visitors will see several tents set up with operators contacting people across the country who are also celebrating Field Day.

“The object is to make as many contacts with other Field Day stations as possible during the 24-hour operating period,” Beaudet said.

When a 7.9 earthquake struck Nepal earlier this year, Ham radio operators were some of the earliest responders. AARP reported on their website, www.arrl.org, during the Nepal crises, “Hams in India have been among the most active responders. Parts of eastern India also suffered earthquake damage. Within Nepal, members of the Nepal Amateur Radio Society are reported to be active in HF emergency nets.” The website also noted that Jayu Bhide, the national coordinator for disaster communication of the Amateur Radio Society of India, worked around the clock to keep communication systems running.

Though most known for its role in emergency situations, Ham radio is also a hobby that a variety of people take part in. The AARL website states, “Amateur Radio operators come from all walks of life – doctors, students, kids, politicians, truck drivers, movie stars, missionaries and even your average neighbor next door. They are of all ages, sexes, income levels and nationalities.”

The Rhode Island event is sponsored by ARRP and promises that the activities will be conducted regardless of the weather conditions. The two-day event is a test of the skills of the Ham radio operators as well as an educational presentation for the visitors. Demonstrations will be held on setting up a radio, building antennas, power supplies, Morse code and satellite communications.

Radio communications began over 100 years ago, and today ARRP states on their website that amateur radio is capable of everything from bouncing signals off the ground, the ionosphere and even the moon. The Rhode Island event will have three radio stations set up, one being the GOTA (Get On The Air) station that allows visitors to contact Ham radios around the world.

“Field Day is a great opportunity for people to discover the fun, excitement and important services found in amateur radio,” said Richard Langlois, BVARC president.

With licensed operators ranging in age from 10 years old to more than 100 years old, the event is welcome to all. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. For more information, visit the BVARC website: www.wlddd.org.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here