“This is even more reliable than voice radios; the signal will get through when voice won’t”.
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Lieutenant Colonel Retske said amateur radio operators played a big part in communicating during the flood last October.
Field Day is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
On Saturday and Sunday, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with ham radio operators and see what the amateur radio service is about.
CEMA Director Kevin Gallup said that the demonstrations will simulate what it’s like to use amateur radios during a disaster.
With a licensed operator looking on, anyone wishing to make radio contacts during the event are welcome to do so, organizers said. They also help with communication at events such as the upcoming Common Ground Festival and the November Silver Bells in the City parade.
“What usually happens is there’s a communication collapse”, said Stan Slaughter, officer in the South Carolina State Guard, “so they’ll lose cell towers, they’ll lose power, central offices get flooded out and things like that, so suddenly everything’s gone”. They say it is a great skill to know because so many people who use and rely on their technology don’t understand how communication works.
“That’s an ancient communications system”, said Shafferman, “but it works”.
HF, VHF, and UHF radios can be powered by battery and gas-powered generators.
He started when he was just 13 years old. “You don’t get seven days notice”.
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Members of the Ozark Mountain Amateur Radio Club is participating in the annual 24-hour National Amateur Radio Field Day exercise Saturday and Sunday at Pizza Express on USA 63 in Houston.
