Every June, more than 40,000 people throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate radio’s science, skill, and service to society. Jeff Fischer, a West Palm Beach resident, will be one of them this year.
One of Palm Beach County’s local clubs of FCC-licensed amateur radio operators (The West Palm Beach Amateur Radio Group), also known as “hams,” plan to participate in “Field Day” at American Legion Post 47, 2315 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth Beach FL 33460. The event is open to everyone on June 28th as a demonstration of emergency communications.
Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of radio frequency spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radio sport, contesting, and emergency communication. Hams are limited to the use of small frequency bands but can communicate with other hams throughout the world, and even with satellites in outer space.
Field Day has been an annual tradition since 1933 and remains one of the most popular events in ham radio. The event is an annual emergency exercise, sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and involves thousands of trained volunteer emergency communicators activating their stations, all over the United States and Canada, and contacting as many other stations as possible during a 24-hour period: from 2 PM Saturday, June 28th, until 2PM. Sunday, June 29th.
Field Day participants are awarded points for making use of certain equipment, such as operating on batteries or not relying on a petroleum source. Fischer, whose call sign is KM4UBL, will be one of those operating from the American Legion Post with temporary antennas, generators, batteries, and solar panels to generate electric power.
“With a goal of making hundreds of contacts worldwide, this emergency exercise is intended for hams to practice their capabilities in the event of a major disaster,” Fischer said. “In an emergency, if cell service or the Internet goes down, radio is the best way to communicate. It is supposed to be a fun exercise, but it can teach you what to do during real-life scenarios.”
Fischer, who has spent more than a decade in amateur radio, has enjoyed every minute of it. The worldwide hobby is purely voluntary. The FCC prohibits hams from competing with commercial broadcasting stations and requires hams to use the hobby to be in direct communication with another party.
“Field Day offers training and readiness for amateur radio operators to provide reliable communications under field conditions in emergencies, to lend support free of charge to Public Safety agencies and the general public.” Fischer noted.
The event is free and is open to the public.
For more information contact Ed Efchak at wx2r@arrl.net or visit www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio or the local club site at www.wpbarg.com.
###