Reliability Test for Amateur Radio Operators Set in Case of a Major Emergency
John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – This weekend, a set-up of antennas will be laid out in a focused area of Chase Palm Park for 24 hours to test the amateur radio system that could be extremely valuable in Santa Barbara County in an emergency.
The emergency communications work will involve veterans, new operators and youth. It’s called a ‘Field Day.’
Amateur Radio Club Board Member Warren Myers said, “it gives all amateur radio operators a chance to practice the art, to set up their stations, make sure they work.”
Operators say the equipment and technology goes back more than 100 years and modernization makes it a valuable communication device in modern times.
Cell phone towers are not as reliable as the public may think and they can go out in some situations involving fires, debris flows and earthquakes
It would affect the internet and phone calls.
Each year, the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club (SBARC) makes sure its equipment is working and can communicate outside the area, but also within the disaster zone. Emergency officials have been assisted many times by the clubs staff.
The Amateur Radio Field Day, with involve radio users in North America and locally it will be a two-day event June 28–29 at Chase Palm Park. This is the 92nd year for the event. It is open to the public.
“If the county, fire, police, emergency responders need it, which thankfully doesn’t happen very often. So we have that capability,” said Myers. There are backup batteries and sites that will be functional in a disaster.
This year there will also be a special radio station on State Street downtown as part of the 1925 earthquake reenactment.
At the Chase Palm Park Field Day site, SBARC will operate three High Frequency (HF) stations, powered entirely by emergency generators. The public is encouraged to drop by, ask questions, and learn how these stations connect with others across the globe — entirely off-grid. Licensed amateur radio operators are invited to operate under the club’s call sign, within the privileges of their license.
Local scouts will be on hand to assist and fulfill requirements for their Radio Merit Badge. With hands-on demonstrations and real-world communication scenarios, Field Day is an introduction to the world of radio for all ages.
The club also has a new site on TV hill at 400. feet to help with communications. “We now have coverage of not only the whole Central Coast , Camarillo to Goleta, but also over the mountain pass. And to Santa Ynez, Buellton and, even as far as Santa Maria,” said Myers.
The lease on the former site nearby with the city was not renewed because of a large water storage project taking place.
More information can be found at: : www.sbarc.org
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