"Ham Radio" operators gather for annual Field Day

On the evening of March 2, 2012 tornadoes had wiped out communication in Henryville, IN. Phone lines and electricity were down along with communication systems used by emergency responders. The Clark County Emergency Coordinator for Amateur Radio took his personal RV, which is fully equipped to set up emergency communication, to the fire station in Henryville where response agencies had gathered. During the first 18-24 hours, members from Amateur Radio clubs across Kentucky and Southern Indiana established communication to provide their services, free of charge, to local emergency management and authorities.

Amateur Radio operator Roman Rusinek.

Roman Rusinek was one of the local amateur radio operators that responded to the disaster. Roman obtained his amateur radio license in 1995 and joined the Oldham County Kentucky Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) when the volunteer group formed last year. The thing that most drew him to the hobby was the community service aspect—helping others during emergencies.

“It takes a lot of preparation and practice to prepare for an emergency,” Roman said adding that he was impressed with the coordination of emergency communication efforts following the March 2 tornadoes.

To prepare for the real deal, amateur radio operators participate in drills offered by the city, county, state and nation that involve emergency management and local authorities. The drills offer an opportunity to build relationships and plan for when disaster does strike.

Operators also provide their services at local bike rides, run/walks and other events where emergency communication might be needed. It gives them an opportunity to test out their equipment and learn where their receivers have the best reception, so that during an actual emergency, they know where they can and cannot set up shop.

Amateur Radio played a larger role in disaster response before cell phones became a staple in every back pocket and handbag, but even cell towers can be affected by disaster. Cell phone lines are quickly tied up when people are trying to contact friends and family to ensure their safety. Without the use of electricity, Amateur Radio operators provide a separate channel for communication avoiding the possibility of being denied due to swamped lines. It’s like their motto says “When all else fails . . . Amateur Radio.”

Roman and other members of the Oldham County ARES will be staging demonstrations from 1-9 p.m. this Saturday, June 23 at the Oldham County Red Cross, 1215 N Highway 393 in Buckner, KY. The demos are part of ARRL Field Day sponsored by the National Association for Amateur Radio. More than 35,000 operators will gather at various locations across the country to show how radio can act very much like the internet when needed. Visitors can view the equipment used and even go “on-air.”

Roman hopes that Field Day will help inform the community of the full capabilities of Amateur Radio and spark interest in others, especially kids. To learn more about Amateur Radio, please visit www.arrl.org.

Red Cross "Ham" Radio Club competes in ARRL Field Day

Do you ever wonder what you would do during a disaster without electricity? What about without your cell phone? How do emergency personell communicate to help those in need? During disasters like the tornadoes in Alabama and Joplin, power lines and cell phone towers are taken out in a matter of seconds leaving members of the community without normal means of communication. When this happens, our friends in Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) step in and help provide emergency communications for the affected areas free of charge.

On June 25 & 26 amateur radio operators around the world are participating in the American Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) Field Day. The event will test response efforts by amateur radio operations and their local clubs during a disaster or emergency that impacts the communications infrastructure.

To participate, operators must support communications off of emergency power from 2 p.m. EST on June 25 through 2 p.m. on June 26. The American Red Cross Radio Club (W4ARC) will be set up at the Buffalo Trace Red Cross, 7477 State Road 64, Georgetown, IN from 1—10 p.m. June 25 and from 7 a.m.—1 p.m. June 26. Other radio clubs participating will be at the Pioneer Village City Hall in Northern Bullitt County, as well as locations in Nelson, Hardin, Shelby and Breckenridge Counties.

All clubs are competing for points, so if you have time, please stop by one of the locations to sign in. Additionally, sites will have a radio station set up as a “Get On The Air” station where visitors can test out their commentator skills on air! Extra points are awarded for visitors who have never operated an amateur radio.

For details on the location nearest to you, please visit www.arrl.org.