Churchill County residents will have an opportunity to learn about amateur radio and emergency communications during this year's Amateur Radio Relay League Field Day event beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Day Use Area near the dam on the Churchill County side of Lake Lahontan.
Hosted by local amateur radio operators, the event will feature several operating radio stations and demonstrations designed to introduce the public to amateur, or ham, radio. Visitors, including children, will have the opportunity to get on the air and make radio contacts under the supervision of licensed operators.
Field Day is an annual nationwide event organized by the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for amateur radio. Each June, thousands of amateur radio operators across North America set up temporary stations in parks, fields, and other public locations to demonstrate the capabilities of amateur radio, particularly during emergencies and disasters when traditional communication systems may be unavailable.
Locally, members of the Churchill County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (CCARES) will operate continuously for 24 hours without commercial power, relying instead on batteries, solar power, and other portable equipment. During the exercise, participants will make radio contacts around the country while testing equipment and emergency communication procedures.
According to organizers, amateur radio plays an important role in emergency preparedness and is recognized by federal emergency management agencies as part of the nation's emergency communications network. CCARES provides communication support for Churchill County, the City of Fallon, Naval Air Station Fallon, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, and organizations, including the Red Cross.
In addition to radio demonstrations, free hamburgers and hot dogs will be served beginning at 5 p.m. Organizers said signs will be posted from the U.S. Highway 50 turnoff to help direct visitors to the site.
Those interested in becoming licensed amateur radio operators are encouraged to attend the event to learn more about the process. Amateur radio operators are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and must pass an examination before operating. Local license testing is offered on the second Saturday of each month through Amateur Radio of Churchill County, which also hosts weekly radio gatherings and monthly meetings.
For more information, visit the Amateur Radio of Churchill County Facebook page.
Comment
Comments