Ham radio operators planning field day

NEW SPRINGFIELD — The public is invited when Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association holds its field day, during which the radio operators, called Hams, simulate disaster operations.

For 24 hours, starting at 2 p.m. Saturday June 28, amateur radio operators will show the public exactly what they do when called on during a natural disaster.

The event is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League. Jerry Viele, president of the local radio association, said 50 to 60 operators will participate, though that many won’t ever be on site at one time.

Viele said the point of the event is to practice what operators would do if they were actually called out to an emergency site. Using only emergency power supplies, ham operators will construct emergency stations from which to broadcast.

“We will be operating under simulated emergency conditions, and the goal is to contact as many other operators who are doing the same thing we are,” he said, “We will be using portable generators and some stations will be operating under solar power, independent of any commercially available power source.”

The participants will be set up in a field along Unity Road near New Springfield. For directions to the site or more information, contact Jerry or Bonnie Viele at (330) 534-1394.