By John Byars
Paris, Tenn.–CQ! CQ! CQ! Henry County Field Day calling CQ!
Amateur radio operators throughout the Northern hemisphere heard this call for contact over the weekend from the members of the Henry County Auxiliary Communication (HCAC) Group. Ham radio operators throughout Henry County gathered in Puryear Saturday and Sunday to hone their radio skills during the annual America Radio and Relay League (ARRL) Field Day.
The ARRL Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada every year on the fourth weekend of June. This weekend, thousands of radio amateurs gathered with their respective clubs and groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations. During this time, the HCAC Group made 249 contacts within 44 states and three territories within Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Field Day also gives radio operators the chance to hone their skills for emergency response operations, should the need arise. These radio operator’s step-up during times of emergency response by offering their communications skills and equipment. These operators are a part of what is known as the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES). The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Certified Storm Spotters often report to their observations through the ARES and SKYWARN communication links.
The American Radio Relay League is the national association for Amateur Radio in the USA, representing over 170,000 FCC-licensed Amateurs. The ARRL is the primary source of information about what is going on in ham radio. It provides books, news, support and information for individuals and clubs, special events, continuing education classes and other benefits for its members.
The Amateur Radio Service has been around for a century. In that time, it is grown into a worldwide community of licensed operators using the airwaves with every conceivable means of communications technology. Its people range in age from youngsters to grandparents. Even rocket scientists and a rock star or two are in the ham ranks. Most, however, are just normal folks like you and me who enjoy learning and being able to transmit voice, data, and pictures through the air to unusual places, both near and far, without depending on commercial systems.
For those interested in learning more about Ham Radio operations or obtaining a license can contact the Henry County Auxiliary Communications Group by emailing w4wyd@yahoo.com or arsn4rrw@gmail.com for additional information on testing. The group also meets on the air each Thursday night on the Paris amateur radio repeater on frequency 147.360 MHz, plus offset, no tone for those who have their ham radio license already.
Jimmy Gallimore
Daniel Hollingworth
Top photo: Jim Reason and Sandy Gallimore. Photos by John Byars.