Ham radio operators test their skills

NEWTON — On-air demonstrations and emergency preparedness activities are on tap for members of the Sussex County Amateur Radio Club, which calls itself SCARC, as they celebrate Amateur Radio Week, June 18 to 24. This week culminates with the annual 24-hour emergency preparedness exercises called Field Day June 23 and 24.

During Field Day, amateurs set up in local parks, shopping malls, remote locations and back yards and get on the air using generators, batteries, solar or wind power. Field Day was designed to test operators’ abilities to set up and operate portable stations around the clock under emergency conditions, such as the loss of electricity.

“We want the community to know that in the event of an emergency, we will be ready to assist in any way we can,” says John Santillo, president of the club. “While people often think that cell phones or other communications technologies have replaced ham radio, we can provide vital communications in an emergency that others can’t.”

Field Day is a serious test of skill, but it is also a contest for fun and the largest "on-air’ operating event each year. During the weekend, radio operators try to contact as many other Field Day stations as possible. More than 30,000 amateur radio operators across North America participated last year.

The Sussex County Amateur Radio Club will hold Field Day at Sussex County Community College’s rear parking lot in Newton. Operations will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and conclude Sunday, June 24 at 2 p.m. “We hope that anyone who is interested in seeing what amateur radio is all about will come out for Field Day. All are welcome to attend on Saturday and Sunday, and are encouraged take the opportunity to operate a real ham radio on air, if they so desire. They don't need a license to do so,” Santillo said.

Today there are more that 670,000 amateur radio operators in the United States and more than 2.5 million worldwide. Information is also available by mail at SCARC P.O. Box 312, Augusta, NJ 07822 or at www.scarcnj.org.