The Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association of Margate. {courtesy}
Ham radio enthusiasts are gearing up in the event of an emergency.
Ham radio operators from Broward County’s Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association will host a national amateur radio exercise at Quiet Waters Park on Saturday, June 23, at 2:00 p.m
The event, known as ARRL Field Day, has been organized annually by the ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States, since 1933.
The annual gathering allows attendees to explore the fascinating world of amateur radio and learn about its vital use in emergencies. It also serves as a dry run if ham radios are needed for communication in a survival situation.
All interested parties, licensed amateurs, and others are invited to attend and participate.
“Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers,” Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB, Broward County RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) Officer, tells Margate Talk.
Sjursen added that ham radio operators coordinate and pre-stage in critical locations throughout Broward County during significant weather events. This ensures that if communications go down, there would still be a link between those facilities and the Broward County Emergency Operations Center.
“Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems, and a station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes,” In comments provided to Margate Talk, Jeff Stahl, K4BH, Broward County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) Emergency Coordinator, reiterated the reliably of ham radios in the event of a catastrophic event
“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.”
For the 2024 ARRL Field Day, the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association will set up three operating stations, one each for Single Sideband (SSB), Morse Code (CW), and Digital (primarily FT-8 or FT-4) modulation.
In addition, various activities, including equipment demonstrations (Go Boxes) and satellite contact attempts, will be held.
Food will be available, and participants are asked to indicate their interest in advance. The site includes a shelter with bathroom facilities, and those who wish to stay overnight are welcome and can help keep operations running through the evening hours.
Overnight participants should bring their sleeping equipment. Setup will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, and operations will conclude at 2:00 p.m. the next day, marking 24 hours.
Reservations for operating time on the SSB station are available on w4bug.org.
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