Annual Nationwide Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Drill
June 26-27, 2010
ARPSC participation begins Saturday, June 26 at 2 p.m.
Minor Hill Park - Arlington, Va. Ham operators talk-in: W4AVA Repeater 146.625 (- 600 CTCSS tone 107.2)
Media Contact: David Jordan
Arlington County Office of Emergency Management ESF # 2 Lead
(703) 228-3185
The Arlington Radio Public Service Club (ARPSC) will set up and operate radio stations and compete in a timed exercise with other stations nationwide during the American Radio Relay League's annual Field Day exercise. This exercise is a test of the ability of Amateur Radio groups to provide communications in time of need.
ARPSC will use high frequency (HF) and
very high frequency (VHF) communications equipment, multiple antennas, emergency power only, and support equipment
to demonstrate emergency communication capabilities. Modes of communication may include voice, Morse Code and
digital modes such as PSK31. The Field Day operation will include a Get On The Air
station for new ham radio operators or prospective hams who would like to try their hand at operating and
logging contacts.
Directions
Minor Hill Park is located at
3400 North Powhatan Street, Arlington, Virginia 22213, 1.25 miles north of I-66 on North Sycamore Street at North Powhatan
Street. Turn left at Powhatan and the park entrance will be to the left 400 feet beyond the intersection and just beyond
35th Street, North. Talk-in on the W4AVA repeater 146.625 MHz (CTCSS tone 107.2).
Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications Every major disaster
throughout the county represents sudden local emergency
conditions that may involve loss of life, limb, property, necessary resources and
even the ability to call for help. When the news story breaks and we hear about it
in the midst of our daily lives, the story is about the event itself and the
extensive upset to life at the scene. However, not infrequently, you hear that it
was some local ham radio operator who was first able to re-establish communications
and get out the call for help. They're usually first, they're usually there, and
they usually get it done! Amateur Radio ("ham")
operators are anything but amateur in the performance and utilization
of their skills. They are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, they
own and maintain their own radio equipment, and they are responsible for all
aspects of the operation of their radio stations, whether it is from a
fixed base location, a mobile or portable station. Amateur Radio equipment
is independent of commercial radio services like telephones, cell
phones, and even Police, Fire, and EMS radio services, which may be
limited in frequency and interoperability. Ham radio is inherently frequency agile and readily
portable, making it ideal for emergency communications. Many hams are able to pick up and
go, and quickly set up communications on a moment's notice. You'll see hams in
the parks and around towns providing supporting communications for
public events like parades, marathon runs, etc. Such events are easy
practice for hams, yet major events like the Marine Corps Marathon and the
Presidents Day parade in Alexandria depend on them for communications support.
Many ARPSC members are registered with Arlington County as volunteers certified under the Radio Amateur Civil
Emergency Service (RACES) protocol, which is used by federal, state, and local agencies utilizing Amateur Radio
operators as a decentralized resource in times of emergency.
Arlington County RACES
also provides training and certifications. 
Prior to visiting the Field Day site you may want to review the following information:
• ARRL Field Day Info & Materials.
• Field Day Manual (Newsletter pages 6-7) by Mike KF6KDA & Jeff KF6CNV
of Mountain Amateur Radio Club W6BW (PDF 1.92 MB).
ARPSC Home