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PARKERSBURG -- Ham radio operators from the Parkersburg Amateur Radio Klub will participate in the American Radio Relay League Field Day, a national amateur radio exercise, from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday at Fort Boreman Hill.
The public is invited to observe and ask questions.
Field Day highlights ham radio's ability to reliably work under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network. This year's event is noteworthy because an 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 Jerry Wharton, KA8NJW, president of the club. "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."
Other local Field Day events also are planned.
Wood County Emergency Communications will participate in the exercise at Henderson Farm on Laurel Creek Road off Old St. Marys Pike.
The Marietta Amateur Radio Club will participate from its clubhouse at 681 Hartline Road off Stanleyville Road. The club invites the public from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
More than 18,000 hams participated in 2020 from thousands of locations across North America.
Field Day was organized in 1933.