Brownwood’s ham radio operators will join thousands of amateur radio operators across the nation as they participate in their annual Field Day.
The event is sanctioned by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) who sets the rules for participation. Those rules include that the stations operate independent of the power grid, which means they have to generate their own electricity as they contact other participating stations across the United States, Canada, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Event Coordinator Jerry Wetherholt says the Brownwood club earns points for each station contacted during a twenty-four hour period that starts at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 22.
Brownwood Amateur Radio Club (BARC) President Dale Seaburg said, “the event is not just a fun event, but it actually tests our local operator’s equipment and operating ability for emergency preparedness, and it gives the operators a chance to work on protocol.”
He says the club members will be using voice, Morse code, and digital communications and implementing alternative power including solar energy.
Seaburg says the event will be held across from the Brownwood Regional Hospital at Memorial Park at the American Legion Hall, and the public is invited to stop by and get on the club’s GOTA (Get On The Air) station and get a taste of ham radio communications. Elected officials have been invited to visit.
Brownwood’s ham radio operators also serve as the county’s trained SKYWARN weather spotters who are dispatched by the National Weather Service in San Angelo.
The ARRL National Field Day runs from 1:00 p.m. Saturday until 1:00 p.m. Sunday nationwide.
Pictured – Rich and Cindy Dugger of Early operating a ham station at Bangs Mayfest.
