Reelfoot ham radio club to take part in field day

Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 8:00 pm

The Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club will participate in the annual national Field Day event this weekend.
This event is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League in Newington, Conn.
Each year individuals and clubs participate in Field Day in an effort to prove their radio communicating abilities. The purpose of Field Day is to test equipment and challenge operators in preparation for any emergencies or disasters.
Each year amateur radio operators voluntarily assist communities that are in need of radio communications. Hurricane Katrina and locally the infamous ice storm of 2009 that devastated West Tennessee and a good part of Kentucky are prime examples of times when amateur radio comes to the rescue.
During the ice storm, the City of Hickman, Ky., was without telephone or satellite communications initially. Local amateur radio operators (Hams) were their only link to the Kentucy Emergency Management Agency. Once KEMA was aware of the situation, they began arranging for food and shelter for residents in the Hickman area.
During these situations, Hams not only communicate with state and federal agencies, they also provide health and welfare information for individuals and families.
All this is done at “no” expense to anyone other than the Hams themselves. All radio communications equipment is privately owned and operated. Exceptions are some hospitals, universities and local emergency management offices that have been provided funds from the Department of Homeland Security.
This year’s Field Day exercise will be conducted at 3550 Billie Jolley Road in South Fulton.
Set up will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, with communications beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday and ending at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Reelfoot ARC has done well in past years, placing in the lower 30s nationally and in the lower single digits statewide, a spokesman said.
RARC extends an open invitation to anyone who wishes to visit the Field Day site during operation. Amateur radio operators from anywhere are welcome to come and participate.
“When all else fails, there’s amateur radio,” a spokesman said.

Published in The Messenger 6.19.13