AMATEUR RADIO ENTHUSIASTS DEMONSTRATE TECHNOLOGY AND PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES DURING AMATEUR RADIO WEEK

   Amateur Radio (or "ham radio") operators around the country will be showing off the latest in digital communications, talking to people around the world using amateur satellites and demonstrating their unique dedication to public service during Amateur Radio Week, June 20-26. The Sturdy Memorial Hospital Amateur Radio Club will be out in their community to raise awareness about Amateur Radio and prepare for the week's culminating event, an annual emergency preparedness exercise called "Field Day," June 25 and 26. “Field Day” is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for Amateur Radio.

   Field Day is designed to test operators' abilities to set up and operate portable stations under emergency conditions such as the loss of commercial electricity and/or telephone service. The Sturdy club will set up their Field Day stations in World War I Memorial Park off of Elmwood Street (see MAP) in North Attleboro. The event is a serious test of skill, and a contest for fun, too. During the weekend, the radio operators try to contact as many other Field Day stations as possible, simulating the fast on-air skills needed to assist town officials and served agencies during an emergency. More than 30,000 Amateur Radio operators across the country participated in last year's event. The first Field Day was held in 1933.

   Just last year, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) members, and other ham radio volunteers assisted federal, state and local officials in providing disaster relief support and emergency communications in the aftermath of the 4 major hurricanes that devastated Florida. All forms of communications were virtually wiped out by those storms and Amateur Radio filled the gap until standard communications systems were restored. Members of the Sturdy club are also members of ARES and run a Skywarn Net in conjunction with the National Weather Service during severe weather events. Several members of the club are also involved with RACES in their respective communities.

- Link to Field Day Site Map -