Directions

Minors Hill Park is located at 3400 North Powhatan Street, Arlington, Virginia 22213 1.25 miles north of I-66 (Exit 69).

A. I-66 to N. Sycamore Street. From I-66 Eastbound, take Exit 69 and turn left onto Lee Highway. Turn left at N. Sycamore Street. From I-66 Westbound, take Exit 69 and turn right onto N. Sycamore Street.

B. N. Sycamore Street to Minors Hill Park. Driving north on N. Sycamore, go through the Williamsburg Blvd. and immediately move into the left turn lane (watch for green sign for Powhatan Street) and turn left onto Powhatan. The park entrance is up the hill to the left just before the intersection of Powhatan and N. Rockingham Street.

Talk-in on the W4AVA repeater 146.625 MHz (PL 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.

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