Amateur “ham” radio operators from the White Rock Lake Amateur Radio Club will participate in a national amateur radio exercise known as Field Day, from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, at Dreyfuss Club Point at White Rock Lake.
The public is invited to stop by and observe as the club will demonstrate several radio setups using portable equipment and antennas, while making radio contacts across the country.
The White Rock Lake Amateur Radio Club was formed in 2019 as a response to the extended power outage in the area; it now includes 40 members from various East Dallas neighborhoods. The mission of the club is to enable East Dallas and the lake area to intercommunicate via ham in the event of an emergency.
“Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems, and a station can be set up in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and portable power source, and communicate effectively both locally and around the world,” organizers said.
Since 1933, more than 40,000 hams across North America have participated in Winter and Summer Field Day by establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service. Field Day highlights ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network.
“Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers,” said Rich Casey, club trustee and co-founder.
