Local Amateur Radio Operators Take Part in National Field Day Event

The Amateur Radio operators or ‘Hams’ as they are called, from Mena and the surrounding region will join thousands of other operators to show off their emergency capabilities this weekend at the Fire Tower on Rich Mountain.

Over the past year, the news has had many reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications during unexpected emergencies in towns across America, including wildfires, winter storms, and tornadoes. During these events, Ham Radio was often the only way people could initially communicate. Hundreds of volunteer operators traveled south to help save lives and property during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Internationally, Hams played significant roles in both the Haiti earthquake and the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Locally, Hams were involved in the Mena tornado of 2009, as well as the 2010 flooding in Albert Pike campground. These activities reinforce their slogan, “When All Fails, Ham Radio Works.”

The annual National Field Day event is the climax of Amateur Radio Week and is sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. Using only emergency power supplies, Ham operators will construct emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools, and backyards around the country.

With the widespread use of the Internet and cell phones today, Amateur Radio is often thought of as an obsolete or dying activity, however, it is far from it. Many amateur operators now communicate via digital forms of radio and take advantage of technologies such as satellites and GPS. In fact, Hams continue to innovate and push the very boundaries of electronic communication.

Mena’s mayor, George McKee, signed a proclamation making June 21-27, Amateur Radio Week in Mena. The Ouachita Amateur Radio Association will be holding Field Day activities on June 27^th and 28^th. They invite the public to join them on Saturday, June 28, from 1p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Fire Tower on Rich Mountain to see the new capabilities, meet local HAMS, and enjoy their hospitality. This year, the event will be powered by solar and wind energy. They said that some folks will be allowed to get on the air. To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to www.emergency-radio.org

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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