Amateur Radio activity is growing in the United States. In 2009 over 30,000 new people became “hams.” The technical skills of hams also has improved as almost 50% of American Amateur Radio operators have gone beyond the entry level licensing requirements and passed the more difficult testing to earn higher class FCC licenses. There are more than 680,000 Amateur Radio operators in the US, and 2.5 million around the world.
In the past months, the news has had many reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications in emergencies world-wide. During fires, earthquakes, tornados and other crises, Amateur Radio was often the only way by which people could communicate. Amateur Radio operators are often the first to provide critical early information and observations to emergency responders in crisis situations. FEMA, DHS, the National Weather Service, and emergency management offices have Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARESŪ) operators in their emergency communications plans. On June 26-27, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with the hams and see for themselves what the Amateur Radio Service is about. Using their digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications, radio and even Web-radio hybrid systems along with historic Morse code, they prove “It’s not your Grandfather’s radio anymore.”
Using only emergency power, ham operators will construct temporary radio stations around the country for the weekend and send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis. More than 35,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last year's event.
To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to WE Can Do That. The public is most cordially invited to
come, meet and talk with the hams. See what modern Amateur Radio can do. To find out where the
Amateur Radio operators will be set up in your area, go to ARRL Field Day 2010. They can even help you
get on the air!
Coconino Amateur Radio Club, Northern Arizona DX Association and Northern Arizona University Amateur
Radio Club are proud participants in Field Day.
Check out the festivities at Field Day 2009