Radio hams practice skills

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Dozens of local Presque Isle amateur radio operators will work around the clock this weekend to set up field radio communication stations, get on the air and contact hundreds of other operators in the United States and Canada as part of participation in the American Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) Field Day.
    According to Don Peary of the Aroostook Amateur Radio Association, of Presque Isle, Field Day is an annual event of the ARRL’s National Field Organization intended to “simulate primitive communications” in the vent of a natural disaster.
“Field Day is a way for hams to get outdoors and fine tune their skills under difficult conditions, using generators and batteries, and setting up several antennas in the field. The idea is to put together a self-sufficient, working station quickly and begin making contacts. But it’s also an opportunity for fellow hams to have fun,” Peary said.
The ARRL Field Organization has been effective in establishing emergency communication nets during floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and other major disasters. Members of formal emergency organizations such as the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the Radio Amateur Communication Emergency Services (RACES) participate regularly. The League estimates that more than 35,000 hams participate in Field Day every year.
The AARA Field Day operations will take place at the baseball field at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Setup begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 23. The public, Boy and Girl Scouts and prospective new hams are invited to participate in this annual event. For additional information, contact Peary at 455-8208.