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Ham radio operators from the Stanly County Amateur Radio Club (call sign K4OGB) participated June 24-25 in the ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/FieldDay), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by the National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States.

Club members set up and operated portable radio equipment at the New London Memorial Park picnic shelter.

K4OGB operators made more than 100 contacts with Ham operators across the United States, Canada, Spain, Brazil and Puerto Rico.

Hams from across North America ordinarily participate in field day by establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service.

Their use of radio signals, which reach beyond borders, bring people together while providing essential communication in the service of communities. Field day highlights ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network.

Many hams have portable radio communication capability that includes alternative energy sources such as generators, solar panels and batteries to power their equipment.

This year’s event is also noteworthy given that a particularly active hurricane season is predicted.

“Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers,” said Jeff Balfrey, president of the Stanly County Amateur Club (K4OGB). “Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems and a station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others.”

During Field Day 2022, more than 26,000 hams participated from thousands of locations across North America. According to ARRL, there are more than 750,000 amateur radio licensees in the U.S., and an estimated 3 million worldwide.

Among the tenets of the Amateur Radio Service is developing and practicing skills in radio technology and radio communications and contributing to international goodwill. Hams range in age from as young as 9 to older than 100.

For more information about ARRL Field Day and ham radio, contact info@k4ogb.org or visit www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio.