MEDIA ADVISORY
Local Ham Radio Operators “On The Air” for Nationwide Event June 27 – 28
The San Luis Valley Amateur Radio Association (SARA), operating under the club call sign K0SLV, will be will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 12:00PM on Saturday until 12:00PM on Sunday, June 27 – 28. The event is ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/FieldDay), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by ARRL, the national association for amateur radio in the United States. The local SARA group was formed late last year and this is the first year that they will be participating in Field Day.
Hams from across North America ordinarily participate in Field Day by establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service. Their use of radio signals, which reach beyond borders, bring people together while providing essential communication in the service of communities. Field Day highlights ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network.
Due to the pandemic, this year’s event will be markedly different from years past. Continuing public health restrictions and social distancing practices will limit group gatherings for Field Day. Some hams from the San Luis Valley will use the radio stations setup in their homes or taken to their backyards. The SARA group will be closely observing current health requirements, while operating outside in the parking lot of the Calvary Baptist Church, 2160 Sherman Avenue. Many hams have portable radio communication capability that includes alternative energy sources such as generators, solar panels, and batteries to power their equipment. The SARA group welcomes visitors or those interested in amateur radio, but does request you please wear a mask and practice safe social distancing at all times.
This year’s event is also noteworthy given the arrival of a rather active early hurricane season. “Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms, wildfires or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers,” said Bob Galey, SARA club President, KE0JDN. “Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems and a station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others,” Bob added.
During Field Day 2019, more than 36,000 hams participated from thousands of locations across North America. According to ARRL, there are more than 750,000 amateur radio licensees in the US, and an estimated 3 million worldwide. “Throughout COVID-19, hams around the world have continued to be on the air practicing their skills, in part as a way to help overcome social isolation and online fatigue,” said ARRL spokesperson Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R.
Hams range in age from as young as 9 to older than 100. For more information about ARRL Field Day and ham radio, contact the San Luis Valley Amateur Radio Association via email at: SLVHamRadio@Gmail.com or visit their website: K0SLV.com.