Ham Radio Operators to Have Field Day at Mill Creek Farm

CANFIELD, Ohio – Radio operators from the Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association will spend this weekend showing the public how amateur radio, or ham radio, responds to public communication needs in times of emergencies.

Ham radio operators will set up multiple stations at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, and will operate from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday on power supplied from stand-alone generators, batteries and solar power. 

The emergency preparedness exercise is called Field Day and is a yearly event in the United States and Canada presented by the American Radio Relay League.

During the free event, ham radio operators can test and improve their emergency communications skills, and the public can see first-hand how amateur radio can quickly provide emergency communication in times of need.

Stations with sophisticated computer systems, antennas and power distribution will be assembled quickly to make contact with thousands of other stations nationwide, completely independent of domestic power and support.

The stations will use various forms of communication, from voice and Morse code to the latest digital transmission systems and satellite communications. 

The American Radio Relay League estimates that more than 26,000 ham radio operators participate in Field Day every year. There are more than 750,000 licensed amateur radio operators in the U.S. and more than 3 million worldwide.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.