Ham radio operators from the Southwest Louisiana Amateur Repeater Club will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise this weekend and is inviting the Public to come out to this Free Event in Westlake, LA. If you would like to learn about this amazing Hobby, then here is your chance.

The event is ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/FieldDay), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States.

Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
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Hams from across North America ordinarily participate in Field Day by establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service. Their use of radio signals, which reach beyond borders, bring people together while providing essential communication in the service of communities. Field Day highlights ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network.

Some hams from Southwest Louisiana will also use the radio stations set up in their homes or taken to their backyards and other locations to operate individually or with their families. Many hams have portable radio communication capability that includes alternative energy sources such as generators, solar panels, and batteries to power their equipment.

MediaNews Group via Getty Images
MediaNews Group via Getty Images
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This year's event is also noteworthy given that a particularly 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 Joshua Johnson KC5JMJ, Club President. “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,” Johnson added.

During Field Day, more than 26,000 hams participated from thousands of locations across North America. According to ARRL, there are more than 750,000 amateur radio licensees in the US, and an estimated 3 million worldwide.

Among the tenets of the Amateur Radio Service is developing and practicing skills in radio technology and radio communications, and even contributing to international goodwill. Hams range in age from as young as 9 to older than 100.

The Southwest Louisiana Amateur Repeater Club would like to Welcome the Public to this FREE Event.

Pondarosa Park
3104 Westwood Rd.
Westlake, LA 70669
Saturday June 22nd from 9am-till
Sunday June 23rd from 9am-till

Abandoned Radio Tower, Clinton

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