Amateur radio operators remain ready to respond
MANALAPAN — Panic, scramble and a general sense of being unprepared typically characterize emergency situations. Volunteer amateur radio operators in Manalapan plan, practice and strategize so that when emergencies happen, they and the community will be prepared.
On June 25, Manalapan amateur radio operators participated in a national organized drill called Field Day, sponsored by the American Radio Relay League.
Field Day tested the abilities of Manalapan ham radio operators who are members of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) to set up their equipment under simulated emergency conditions.
Operators communicated by generator powered radio with other Field Day stations throughout the country in places like Maine and Michigan.
RACES coordinator Skip Gracon said, “This is an event organized across the United States with thousands of people participating, using generators and temporary antennas such as might be required during a natural or man-made disaster.”
Amateur radio operators communicate with emergency response agencies during crises when normal telephone and cell phone service and electricity are compromised. Amateur radio, also called ham radio, has provided communications in emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina, the California wildfires, winter storms and floods.
The June 25 event took place in front of the Manalapan Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the public invited to attend and learn about the use of amateur radio in emergencies and to observe the Manalapan operators who are volunteer licensed amateurs.
Richard W. Hogan, emergency management coordinator, said, “The RACES team and the Manalapan amateur radio operators are a valuable asset to the emergency management team. The team’s training, through exercises such as this, establishes a flawless communication network vital to the operations of the Office of Emergency Management. It is through simulated emergencies that we assess the ability of the team to communicate within the township, as well as with agencies outside the township.”
To learn more about the Manalapan RACES team or about amateur radio, contact Skip Gracon at K3GNZ@arrl.net or access the national amateur radio website at American Radio Relay League | ARRL - The national association for AMATEUR RADIO.
Published in the NewsTranscript 8/10/11
MANALAPAN — Panic, scramble and a general sense of being unprepared typically characterize emergency situations. Volunteer amateur radio operators in Manalapan plan, practice and strategize so that when emergencies happen, they and the community will be prepared.
On June 25, Manalapan amateur radio operators participated in a national organized drill called Field Day, sponsored by the American Radio Relay League.
Field Day tested the abilities of Manalapan ham radio operators who are members of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) to set up their equipment under simulated emergency conditions.
Operators communicated by generator powered radio with other Field Day stations throughout the country in places like Maine and Michigan.
RACES coordinator Skip Gracon said, “This is an event organized across the United States with thousands of people participating, using generators and temporary antennas such as might be required during a natural or man-made disaster.”
Amateur radio operators communicate with emergency response agencies during crises when normal telephone and cell phone service and electricity are compromised. Amateur radio, also called ham radio, has provided communications in emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina, the California wildfires, winter storms and floods.
The June 25 event took place in front of the Manalapan Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the public invited to attend and learn about the use of amateur radio in emergencies and to observe the Manalapan operators who are volunteer licensed amateurs.
Richard W. Hogan, emergency management coordinator, said, “The RACES team and the Manalapan amateur radio operators are a valuable asset to the emergency management team. The team’s training, through exercises such as this, establishes a flawless communication network vital to the operations of the Office of Emergency Management. It is through simulated emergencies that we assess the ability of the team to communicate within the township, as well as with agencies outside the township.”
To learn more about the Manalapan RACES team or about amateur radio, contact Skip Gracon at K3GNZ@arrl.net or access the national amateur radio website at American Radio Relay League | ARRL - The national association for AMATEUR RADIO.
Published in the NewsTranscript 8/10/11
