Since 1933 amateur radio
clubs and groups have gathered to challenge themselves and other operators
around the country and world in this annual contest of technical abilities,
emergency communications, points, and bragging rights. The third Friday and Saturday of
June is when this contest takes place. For this 24 hour period, hams across the
world leave the comfort of their families and lock themselves in their “ham
shacks” and campsites for a day of relentless contacts and working the bugs out
of communication systems.
The following link is the youtube video of the Linn County Amateur Radio Emergency Services group field day event.
http://youtu.be/Z5DyYyTKE1A
The following link is the youtube video of the Linn County Amateur Radio Emergency Services group field day event.
This year, Amateur
Radio Field Day took place on the 22nd and 23rd of June.
Two local groups, the Peak Radio Association, (W7PRA), and the Linn County
Amateur Radio Emergency Service group, (L.C.A.R.E.S), (W7AEP), battled it out
in this event sponsored by the International
Amateur Radio Union, (IARU) and the American Radio Relay League, (ARRL). The
Peak Radio Association, which is headquartered in Corvallis, held their event
just outside Monroe, Oregon.
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| Members of the Peak Radio Association monitor frequencies |
W7PRA boasted four stations, including digital and high frequency, (HF) all
while using battery, solar and generator power. They worked with at least four
flat-side directional, several long wire and vertical antennas. The club was thoroughly
energized by the event, and a good time was had by all.
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| The banner for the LCARES group |
The LCARES group is headquartered in Albany, but had their event at Cheadle
Lake Park in Lebanon, Oregon. The rain dampened the spirits of the club members
a little but the shelters and antennas went up nonetheless. The group set up
two different stations. One that operated on voice HF frequency bands and one
that operated on digital HF frequency bands. All the power used by the transmitters
was supplied by an alternator attached to an exercise bike. Everyone there had
a wonderful day, despite the wet weather.
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| Roy, KE7WZ, working an HF band |
The comradery and fellowship of these contests that are surrounded by ham
radio are outstanding. No matter the weather, it is always fun to be a part of ham
radio field day events. To be a part of next year’s events, next spring go to
arrl.org for information on the closest Amateur Radio Field Day event. And remember,
when all else fails, ham radio works.
