WASHINGTON CO. AMATEUR RADIO CLUB PARTICIPATING IN NATIONAL EXERCISE SATURDAY, SUNDAY

  

The Washington County Amateur Radio Club will be participating this weekend in a national ham radio exercise.

Field Day, organized by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), is the largest all-volunteer radio communications exercise in the world.  It provides an opportunity for amateur radio operators to set up temporary ham radio stations, test emergency communications equipment and demonstrate their skills and service.

The radio club will operate from Jackson Street Park in Brenham on Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon. 

According to the ARRL, there are over 750,000 amateur radio licensees in the United States and an estimated 3 million worldwide.  Over 26,000 amateur radio operators participated from thousands of locations across North America during Field Day 2021.  This year’s event is considered noteworthy given that there are predictions of a particularly active hurricane season.

Washington County Amateur Radio Club President Justin Pauler said, “Amateur radio operators have a long history of service to their communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communications infrastructure, including cell towers.”  He said ham radio stations can be set up nearly anywhere in minutes and function independently of day-to-day internet and phone systems.

This weekend’s event at Jackson Street Park is open to amateur radio operators and anyone interested in learning more about ham radio.  License exams will be offered throughout.

To learn more about Field Day and the amateur radio service, visit the radio club’s website, https://w5aum.org.