Hamming it up

Once a year, ham radio enthusiasts around the nation spend a full day demonstrating their skill and service to the community.

But Field Day is not just about spending 24 hours testing technical skills and reaching out to other operators across the country and the world.

It’s also about being prepared.

“It’s basically the nation’s largest amateur radio emergency preparedness exercise,” says Katie Allen of the Black Hills Amateur Radio Club (BHARC).

“So that we know when weather or other natural events, or even nonnatural events, occur and communications are wiped out, it gives amateur radio operators an opportunity to practice.”

Produced by ARRL, the national association for amateur radio, Field Day involves an informal contest in which ham operators do their best to contact as many other stations as possible while learning to operate radio gear in abnormal situations and suboptimal conditions.

“It’s a test to see how well amateurs around the United States can come together and get a station from nothing to talking,” says Dwayne Allen, president of the BHARC.

Held on the fourth weekend of June, clubs gather for the event in remote locations to build a ham radio station and then talk on that radio for 24 hours.

According to ARRL, this utilizes the same skills that ham radio operators use to assist in events such as marathons, parade and fundraisers. Because modern communications systems are complex, the 100-year-old technology of amateur radio has also been used numerous times to provide communications in crisis situations.

The BHARC invites the community to stop by during this year’s test, which starts at noon on June 22.

“Generally speaking, we use battery power and/or solar power. We set up at Sunny Divide at the community center, which we do every year,” Katie says.

Field Day is a chance for members of the public to find out more about ham radio and give it a try for themselves.

“We have a ham radio test session, so if anybody is interested in getting their license we’ve got club members from throughout the county and South Dakota,” Katie says.

“You’ll see antennas up there and a bunch of us will be camping.”

In addition, members of the public can try out the club’s “Get On the Air” station.

“We would teach you what you could do, you could just try it out and you never know who you’re going to get on the other side,” says Katie.

The Sunny Divide Community Center has become the base of operations for the BHARC in recent years, and its current condition is partly thanks to the club’s efforts.

“We’re bringing a portapotty…and the club has also done some renovations and upgrades to Sunny Divide as part of our contribution to using that – it’s kind of become our clubhouse,” says Katie.

“Dwayne and another club member have upgraded all the electricity, so now the entire building is wired. We’re just finishing up with outdoor lighting and just painted recently, we have some club members who are going to be donating windows.”

You are invited to participate in the 24-hour event at the newly renovated building beginning at noon on June 22.

“It’s a lot of fun, we have a great time and it’s a great way to talk to people,” Katie says.