home

P

amlico County’s Amateur Radio Society had a field day at its “Field Day.”

PARS learned this month that they placed first in their class in NC in the marathon session they took part in in late June.

Ham radio operators were heard, but here, remain unseen.

The “Field Day” event was a 24-hour long test for how well the radio operators could communicate with the outside world if a crisis (such as a hurricane) knocked out phone service, electrical power and other infrastructure.

Bill Crewsell and Carlos Diez. Carlos, a ham operator in Costa Rica, was visting the area en route to Central America a sailboat. He stayed longer to take part in the PARS exercise.

During the “Field Day” ham operators tapped out Morse code, sent their voices out by radio signal, and used digitally-based communications. It was all powered not by the grid, but by gas-fueled generators.

More equipment set up, near the vegetable garden.

It was a nationally coordinated affair, involving 35,000 ham operators across the country. Locally, the PARS group spread out on the lawn of Hank Aaron’s home on Dawson’s Creek. From that site in Pamlico County, the PARS members made more than 1500 contacts with other ham operators in the US.

When spoken words fail… tap out a message.

Bill “KI4NSI” Creswell, of PARS, says that the “Field Day” keeps ham operators on their toes and the practice makes them ready to provide quick communication during a crisis. The local operators group ranked in the top 7% in the country in this “Field Day”.

Tents were set up around the site, fans running to keep the heat down, as PARS members worked to hear, and send messages. Here, PARS members Bill Michne and Andy Denmark.

More photos of the “Field Day” crew on Page Two.

[page]

Not idle chit-chat.

Bill Michne and Andy Denmark intently listening.

The Sipples.

Jamie King coaches a member of the public to try sending out a call.

One of the antennas on the site.

The PARS logo.

Those interested in learning more or joining in may attend the monthly meeting the last Saturday of every month at Brantley’s Restaurant or contact Bill Cresswell at 745-1246 or Jim Hartmeyer at 249-1984.

Posted Friday November 14, 2008 by Melinda Penkava