MUSCLE SHOALS-The Muscle Shoals Amateur Radio Club would like to extend an invitation to the Shoals community to meet local amateur radio operators as we participate in the national Field Day event, June 25-26, at Gattman Park in Muscle Shoals, AL. We will be operating using portable antennas and without using utility power – as if we were deployed to a disaster site where communications resources we take for granted every day are suddenly unavailable. We will be setting up stations Saturday morning and the operating period runs from 1:00 p.m. Saturday until 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
In addition to being primarily an emergency preparedness exercise, Field Day is also a contest to see how many stations across the country can be contacted. Contacts are made in several ways such as voice, morse code, and digital (computer to computer), all without the use of internet or cell phone services. There will also be an opportunity for visitors to “Get On The Air” with one of our licensed operators acting as a “GOTA” coach.
Amateur radio operators provide a critical public service for our community; during times of disaster, we are able to provide reliable communications when the normal infrastructure is offline. Licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and trained in the art and science of radio communication and basic electronics theory, we own and often maintain our own communications equipment and are prohibited by federal law from receiving payment for our services.
The Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL), our national organization, has built relationships with served agencies including FEMA, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and several others.
Locally, the MSARC has an excellent working relationship with the Colbert, Franklin, and Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agencies as well as several healthcare facilities.
The club is also represented in the Shoals Health Care Coalition (SHCC) and Volunteers Active in Disasters (VOAD). Additionally, the club has taught amateur radio license exam classes for the SHCC, volunteer fire departments, the Florence Police Department, and the general public; the club also conducts amateur radio license exams on a monthly basis, both at its First Saturday business and Third Thursday Tech Talk meetings.
This public service is easily extended during non-emergency events, such as parades, marathons, and motorcycle/bicycle rides. Field Day provides an opportunity to show the public the science, service, and skill amateur radio can offer to our tri-county community free of charge.
Information on obtaining an amateur radio license will be available.
Media Release/Tim Holt, KE4QID/Public Information Officer, Muscle Shoals Amateur Radio Club
