Ham Radio Operators On the Air for Nationwide Event June 22 – 23

Ham radio operators from the Wayne County, Sampson County and Kinston clubs will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 2 pm on Saturday until Sunday 2 pm, June 22 – 23. The Field Day site will be located in the wooded area across form 2104 Salem Church Road, Goldsboro NC 27530, just south of Lane Tree Golf Course The event is the “ARRL Field Day” (www.arrl.org/FieldDay), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by the ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States.

Hams from across North America, US and Canada, 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.

Ham Radio Operators, from all over the US and Canada will use their radio stations set up in their homes or taken to their backyards and other locations to operate individually or with their families. Many hams have portable radio communication capability that includes alternative energy sources such as generators, solar panels, and batteries to power their equipment.  Additionally, alone with the many HF (High Frequency) Stations we will have a Satellite Station, CW (Mores Code) Station and a GOTA, Get On The Air, Station.  The GOTA Station is open to “anyone” who would like to “try out” amateur radio.  The public is welcomed and encouraged to come out.

This year's event is also noteworthy given that a particularly active hurricane season is predicted. “Hams have a long history of serving their communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers.  Ham Radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems and a Ham Radio 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.

During last year’s Field Day, 2023, more than 26,000 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.

For more information about ARRL Field Day and Ham Radio classes contact Pete Wene, WA5T, at information@k4cyp.com or visit www.K4CYP.com or www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio.