Hams to celebrate Amateur Radio Week
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May 20, 2013 |
By Michael Meier
ARRL Idaho Public Information Coordinator
Amateur radio is alive and well in North Idaho during Amateur
Radio Week June 16-23. Field Day, June 22-23, is
a celebration of our ability to talk to the
world via radio and takes place during Amateur
Radio Week. Testing our emergency communication
skills, Field Day is only a part of Amateur
Radio Week, an annual event which is a
proclamation by most state governors, including
Butch Otter.
It is a celebration of what we do best, a time
when amateur operators visit other stations,
operate in remote locations, travel to swap
meets and conventions. It is a time to just be a
Ham radio operator, as they call us.
During Field Day, all amateur operators take to
the field and set up a radio station including
power, antennas and operating position. These
stations may include more than one operator or
more than one station at a location.
The stations are active for 24 hours to test the
ability to communicate. Most stations try to
contact as many other Amateur Operators, Hams
for short as possible during this exercise.
Points are given for various conditions met at
the individual stations.
Field Day takes place this year at 117 Old
Forest Road, Spirit Lake, and lasts for 24
hours, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22.
Amateur radio is key in providing emergency
communications when disaster strikes. When
Hurricane Katrina and Sandy struck, the Hams
were there to assist as they could, with
equipment that worked.
In recent times an alliance with the emergency
managers in each county has created a
significant backup system for any regional or
national emergency.
To visit a Field Day Station visit the ARRL
Field Day Locator,
http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator to
find a station near you. Hams love to show off
their stuff and educate the public on the
abilities and operation of amateur radio.
Please see the attached local Field Day Release
from the KARS, Kootenai Amateur Radio Society
which gives local contacts and mapping to their
location.
To find out more, call Edward Stuckey, (208)
457-0354 or email
ai7h@arrt.net.
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