Contributed by Tabitha Sherman
Amateur Radio “Field Day,” June 22 & 23, Demonstrates Science, Skill, and Service
Members of the Matanuska Amateur Radio Association (MARA) will be participating in the National Amateur Radio Field Day exercise, June 22-23 (from 10 AM Saturday to 10 AM Sunday) in front of Lowe’s in Wasilla. Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of Amateur Radio. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.
One function of Amateur Radio (also known as ‘ham radio’) is to provide a free public service to their communities during a disaster or emergency, all without needing a cell phone or the Internet. Field Day demonstrates ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent communications network. Members of MARA were ready to deploy to provide communications in the aftermath of the November 30th earthquake, and provided valuable on-the-spot reports of damage and other hazards to government agencies.
Ham radio also remains one of the best ways for people to learn about electronics, physics, meteorology, and numerous other scientific disciplines. Our Field Day will provide members of the public with opportunities to see amateur radio demonstrated, as well as a chance to pick up the mic and try it themselves. There are more than 725,000 licensed hams in the US, as young as 9 and as old as 100. Come out and see us and let us help you explore this exciting hobby. More information about the local club, and amateur radio can be found at www.KL7JFU.com.
