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Washington Evening Journal
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Local HAM radio club holds field day
Operators spent 24 hours on the air
WASHINGTON — Amateur radio operators spent 24 consecutive hours scanning for and talking to other hobbyists during an annual field day that started at 1 p.m. June 25.
“We set up and we operate for a full 24 hours non-stop, and try to make as many contacts as possible,” Washington Area Amateur Radio Club President Mark Lukins said. “It’s practice for us on honing our operating skills and using our equipment, assembling our equipment.”
The group set up shop outside the Washington County Hospitals and Clinics for the weekend. Lukins said it was the place they’d likely be needed in a disaster.
“It’s a served agency … during the time of an emergency, the hospital can work with us on helping them acquire the emergency communications they need when other communication services are down,” he said. “We set up here as kind of a practice, that if we would ever need to be utilized, we’ve set up here before, we know what we need to do.”
While it’s a serious scenario to imagine, Lukins said the field day practice was still an enjoyable hobby.
“When we’re not doing these events and these drills, we’re just talking to other HAMs around the world,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun, you make a lot of friends worldwide. We enjoy it.”
Lukins said events like the field day were a great opportunity to get in touch with the communities served by HAM radio clubs.
“Anywhere in the country, if you see a HAM radio event feel free to stop by,” he said. “Folks would love to explain what they’re doing it, why they’re doing it, and how they’re an asset to their community. We can also explain to them how they can become a HAM radio operator.”
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
Daniel Kouchis makes contact with another operator from across the country during a nationwide HAM radio field day. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Jeff Kent, surrounded by other members of the Washington Area Amateur Radio club check frequencies from the group's mobile setup during an annual field day June 25, 2022. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
The mobile HAM radio center is an efficient, but hardly glamorous tool. In total, the setup includes a camper, several solar panels, a trailer full of supplies, some solar panels, a tent and several radio antenna set up around the WCHC parking lot. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
The Washington Area Amateur Radio Club practices as an emergency communications service of last resort for the community, in case of disasters that would shut down alternatives like cellphone towers and 911 lines. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
