Ham Radio Field Day event to be held in Somerset County

The Somerset County Amateur Radio Club will be participating in the ARRL Field Day operations June 25-26 at the Founders Hall Building near the entrance to the Somerset County Library. The event will feature demonstrations of the science, skills and service that is amateur radio.

The ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event held annually in the United States and Canada. Amateur radio operators across North America will participate in field day events to activate equipment and technologies they use daily. More than 45,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations.

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"Our club has participated in this annual event every year as far back as 1980 for me, when I was first licensed," President Jim Crowley said in an email. "Even during the pandemic we developed a way for members to participate from their home radio stations for the event. There are many amateur radio operators from all over the world who also participate by operating from their club or home stations.

"So far, we have approximately 20 or so members pledged to participate in this year's ARRL Field Day event. Some are new to the event and many have experience. Members look forward to participating in this event each year. They get to communicate with over 45,000 other 'Hams' all over North America, plus those from other countries who join in the fun. There is a format for an exchange of information with each contact."

This event is a time where amateur radio operators can practice their emergency response capabilities. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate amateur radio to the public and organizations they might serve in an emergency.Amateurs are often called into action to provide communications in crises when it really matters. In Somerset County, the amateur radio group was part of the communications during the 1984 Glencoe flood, the tornados of 1998, and Flight 93, to mention a few.

"The club provides a public service by working in conjunction with the Somerset County Emergency Management Office as an auxiliary communications team. Some of our members are part of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)," Crowley said.

RACES is a protocol created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission. Many government agencies across the country train their Auxiliary Communications Service volunteers using the RACES protocol, Crowley said.

"Members help grow our hobby and community. Our club membership is not limited to the local community," he said. "We have members from around the country who join our meetings via web conferencing. Our event may be local since we support several local events throughout the year, but we encourage online participation in our business and social meetings."

What is amateur radio?

Often called ham radio, the Amateur Radio Service has been around for a century. In that time, it’s grown into a worldwide community of licensed operators using the airwaves with every conceivable means of communications technology, he said. Operators range in age from youngsters to grandparents. Even rocket scientists, astronauts and a rock star or two are in the ham ranks, Crowley said.

"Most, however, are just normal folks who enjoy learning and being able to transmit and receive voice, data and pictures through the air to unusual places, both near and far, without depending on commercial systems," he said. "Amateur radio has always served as a means to promote world friendship."

Somerset County Amateur Radio Club is a 501(c)3 nonprofit promoting amateur radio as a hobby, emergency communication services, advanced radio education and FCC testing in Somerset County. Somerset's club was formed to promote and educate people about the hobby of amateur radio, according to Crowley. It has more than 50 members and is growing.

Amateur radio operators can communicate with other licensed amateurs all over the world. The amateur radio frequencies are the last remaining place in the usable radio spectrum where participants can develop and experiment with wireless communications, Crowley said.

Hams not only can make and modify their equipment, but can create whole new ways to do things. In the past, a person wishing to acquire an Amateur Radio FCC-issued license had to learn Morse code. Morse code is no longer a test requirement to obtain a license, according to Crowley.

The event starts at 2 p.m. June 25 and will run 24 hours continuously until 2 p.m. Sunday. The participants will use the grassy area in front of the Founders Hall Building near the library, Route 31 Glades Pike East from Somerset at the Community College and Education Center. For more information about Amateur Radio and Field day, visit online at www.arrl.org/field-day.

For more information about the local club or for those who have an interest in amateur radio and havequestions, visit www.k3smt.com.

"The club is a general interest amateur radio club. Our members have varied interests and, as a club, we are not focused on any single facet of our hobby," Crowley said. "Our social meetings usually have a presentation or guest lecture on a whole range of topics. All are welcome to visit our club during any of our meetings. We invite you to come to visit and check out our club."

Somerset's regular meetings are at 7 p.m. every Thursday, except the third Thursday when it starts at 7:30 p.m. The third Thursday is the business meeting. The club meets at Room 27 of Founders Hall, 6022 Glades Pike (Route 31 East), Somerset.

"Our social meetings usually have an educational presentation on one of many aspects of the hobby," Crowley said. "Many recent technological advances have been made and continue to be improved with the hobby. If you are interested in becoming a ham you are welcome to join one of our meetings. Bring your questions and we will help you get your answers."

Scheduled demonstrations and discussionsJune 23 – Field Day OperationsJune 30 – Spectrum AnalysisJuly 7 – Hamfest Activites

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County Amateur Radio Club hosting ARRL Field Day