Amateur radio operators in Clallam and Jefferson counties demonstrated what they do as they participated in the American Radio Relay League’s International Field Day on Saturday.
The purpose of the annual Field Day is to acquaint the public with amateur radio while allowing hams to practice and refine their ability to communicate under emergency conditions.
Members of the public were invited to drop by to see amateur radio operating under conditions that simulate an emergency, while inactive hams were invited to get back on the air.
Admission was free.
In Clallam County, the Clallam County Amateur Radio Club held an open-to-the-public event at the Clallam County Fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St., from
9 a.m. to dusk that included a garage sale of items related to amateur radio.
Visitors could learn about ham radio’s new capabilities and learn how to receive an amateur radio license.
The Clallam County Amateur Radio Emergency Service, or ARES, manned an information booth to answer questions concerning Amateur Radio Emergency Communications and how to join ARES.
In Jefferson County, members of the Jefferson County Amateur Radio Club and the Port Ludlow Amateur Radio Club operated several stations under emergency conditions, with temporary antennas and emergency power at two different locations.
Radio operations ran from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St. in Port Townsend, and at Fort Townsend State Park.
This year, various communications modes such as voice, Morse code and several digital methods were demonstrated, said Gary Fell, Jefferson County ARES emergency coordinator and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service radio officer.
For information about the Clallam County group or amateur radio classes, phone Mike Rice at 360-912-2395 or Chuck Jones at 360-452-4672, or visit www.olyham.net.
For more information about the Jefferson County group, phone Fell at 360-379-1805 or visit the website at http://tinyurl.com/jeffcoAmateurradio.