Amateur radio clubs conduct field day exercise

Sussex Amateur Radio Association and Nanticoke Amateur Radio Club, both of Sussex County, participated in a joint ARRL Field Day exercise on the grounds of the Seaford Parks and Recreation office.

On-air operations took place between 2 p.m., Saturday, June 23 and 4:59 p.m., Sunday, June 24. One of the operating stations was a GOTA station which provides an opportunity for any technician or novice licensees, newly licensed amateurs, other generally inactive licensees and non-licensed persons to experience firsthand the fun of amateur radio by allowing them to get on the air. American Radio Relay League is the national organization for amateur radio in the United States.

ARRL Delaware Section Manager Bill Duveneck, KB3KYH, said that field day gives amateur radio operators the opportunity to establish communications away from normal operating locations. Operating ability is improved by making contacts with hams all over the United States.

Patrick Ryan, KW3Z, president of Nanticoke Amateur Radio Club, said, "The purpose of field day is to simulate emergency conditions in the field. One objective is to set up an operating radio station in a few minutes. The other objective is to have fellowship with other hams."

SARA Field Day Chairman Paul Ross, NR3P, hoped for good band conditions and lots of contacts, and he was glad to have his radio friends participating in the exercise. He noted that fellowship and good operating technique are equally important for field day. Ross said, "If the bands cooperate, we'll have a good time talking around the world."

ARRL Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the U.S. and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June of each year, more than 35,000 radio amateurs (hams) gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations.

For more information, contact ARRL Delaware Section Manager Bill Duveneck, KB3KYH, at kb3kyh@arrl.org.