Amateur radio operators, commonly known as hams, in both Clallam and Jefferson counties will participate in the American Radio Relay League’s International Field Day on Saturday and Sunday.
The annual field day will begin 11 a.m. Saturday and run for 24 consecutive hours,
Members of the Clallam County Amateur Radio Club will operate stations under simulated emergency conditions, with temporary antennas and emergency power, at the Clallam County Fairgrounds carnival area, 1608 W. 16th St.
Members of the Jefferson County Amateur Radio Club and the Port Ludlow Amateur Radio Club will so the same while operating several stations at Fort Townsend State Park and the Northwest Maritime Center.
The principal 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.
This year various communications modes, including voice, Morse code and various digital methods, will be used.
There also will be technical demonstrations of various technologies being used by hams such as automatic position reporting and slow-scan TV.
“The general public is invited to drop by either location to see amateur radio firsthand operating under conditions to simulate an emergency,” said Owen Mulkey, vice president of the Jefferson County Amateur Radio Club.
“Local, inactive hams are especially invited to come by and get back on the air.”
For more information about the Port Angeles field day, phone Nita Lyman at 360-461-4629.
For more information about East Jefferson County’s events, phone Gary Fell at 360-379-1805.