Field Day 2010 in northwest Arkansas

By Kevin Thornton, K5KVN - Public Information Officer, District L

Field Day in northwest Arkansas was huge!  I enjoyed visiting five sites:

• K5GOE at the University of Arkansas, where UAPD officers and an elected official from Westville, Okla., stopped by.
• N5NTI at American Red Cross in Tontitown, set up with a "go kit" for emergency power.
• AA5AR at American Red Cross in Tontitown, where some new hams got a chance to operate Field Day for the first time.
• WC5AR at the Washington County Emergency Operations Center in Fayetteville, where members of the Fayetteville Fire Department got on the air.
• Benton County Radio Operators at Frisco Park in Rogers, complete with the Benton County Emergency Services command vehicle.

Here is a video of operations from AA5AR and photos from the sites I mentioned above.






Leave a comment below and tell us about your Field Day experience...

Hot Springs at the Airport

Still working!

Ft Smith Area Bell Park

There was plenty at one of the most important parts of Field Day, and
they do CW if it's not raining!

Russellville site

The group and field-expedient repairs to the satellite transmitting
antenna.

Faulkner County at the Cadron Settlement

Most original rotor decoration. Hard to see, but there is a cow skull
complete with horns. I think there might be some 'spurious emissions'.

North Little Rock

Aldermen from North Little Rock getting a chance at the radio.

Malvern

These guys have the most unique antenna mount so far!

This was engineered by KI5RA.

The vehicle

If you see this vehicle, it means the SM is visiting your Field Day
site!

Washington County "Amateur Radio Week" proclaimation

By Kevin Thornton, K5KVN - Public Information Officer, District L

As my first post as PIO for District L (Washington, Benton, Carroll and Madison counties), I'm happy to share with you a proclamation by Judge Marilyn Edwards announcing Amateur Radio Week in Washington County.

There are several opportunities to participate in Field Day in northwest Arkansas.  Find one on the map at http://ar.arrl.org/p/field-day.html and join the fun!

Gov. Beebe declares “Amateur Radio Week”; Amateur Radio Operators to Demonstrate Capabilities

By Joshua Carroll, N5JLC - Arkansas Section Public Information Coordinator


Governor Mike Beebe has issued a proclamation recognizing the public service contributions of Arkansas’ Amateur Radio operators and declaring June 20-26, 2010 as “Amateur Radio Week”. This comes as Amateur Radio operators throughout the state prepare to demonstrate their emergency communications capabilities in an annual event called “Field Day”.

Thousands of Ham Radio operators will be showing off their emergency capabilities during the twenty-four hour event, which will begin at 1 PM on June 26.  On the weekend of June 26-27, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with these Ham Radio operators and see for themselves what the Amateur Radio Service is about.  Hams from across the US and Canada will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities, showing the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code.  Using only emergency power, ham operators will construct emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools, and backyards around the country.  Their slogan, “Ham radio works when all else fails” is more than just words to these operators as they prove they can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, Internet or other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis.  More than 30,000 operators across the country participated in last year’s event.

In the Little Rock area, the CAUHF Group and the Arkansas Emergency Services Club will be demonstrating Amateur Radio at Burns Park, pavilion 11.  They invite the public to come and see ham radio’s new capabilities, get on the air and speak with a distant station, and learn how to get their own FCC radio license.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled to kick-off the event at this location.  The ceremony will take place at 12:45 pm, at which time the Boy Scouts of America will present the Colors and civic leaders will be invited to make the first contact of Field Day.  Those invited to participate in the ceremony include Gov. Mike Beebe, Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Sen. Mark Pryor, Con. Vic Snyder, County Judge Buddy Villines, Mayor Patrick Hays and Mayor Mark Stodola.  Also at this location, Boy Scouts will be offered the opportunity to earn two merit badges.

Pike County Officials Request Amateur Radio Operators Assistance

Pike County Officials Request Amateur Radio Operators Assistance

Ham radio operators needed to check-in on local repeaters

Amateur Radio operators are being asked to assist with Search and Rescue operations in Pike County.

Little Rock, Arkansas, June 13, 2010 – The Pike County Sherriff has requested Amateur Radio operators who are capable of walking through very rough terrain to assist with search and rescue operations tomorrow morning. 

Volunteers need to be in good physical condition as these are demanding conditions.  Joshua Carroll, Public Information Coordinator for the American Radio Relay League in Arkansas said, “This is the type of situation for which Amateur Radio operators train.  We always hope that we aren’t needed.  But when in scenarios where cellular service isn’t available and other forms of communications may not be reliable, Amateur Radio is always ready.

Volunteers should be mindful that this is extremely rough terrain and it is not easy work.  Those willing to help should monitor local repeaters – coordination for volunteers is being conducted at the top of each hour until 10:00 pm tonight.

Amateur Radio operators are being reminded that tactical communications may be conducted on local repeaters throughout the state.  All operators should listen before transmitting.  Amateur Radio communications in the affect area are taking place on 146.925 megahertz, in coordination with the Howard County Search and Rescue.

Contact Information:
Amateur Radio Relay League, Arkansas Section
Joshua Carroll – N5JLC, Public information Coordinator
http://ar.arrl.org

Little Rock Mayor Proclaims Amateur Radio Day

By Joshua Carroll, N5JLC - Arkansas Section Public Information Coordinator

Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola has declared June 26, 2010 to be "Amateur Radio Day".

Click here to view the proclamation.

Field Day Locations and Amateur Radio Week Proclamation

By Joshua Carroll, N5JLC - Public Information Coordinator

The Governor of Arkansas met with five members of the Arkansas Section leadership on Monday to present them with a proclamation naming June 20th through the 26th a Amateur Radio Week.  One excerpt of the proclamation reads, "I urge my fellow citizens to recognize thee instrumental role of amateur radio operators in voluntarily protecting and saving lives in our State when severe weather and other imminent dangers threaten human safety."  Read the entire proclamation here.

This proclamation can be used to help promote Field Day, which is right around the corner.  You can see a map of all of the Field Day locations at http://ar.arrl.org/p/field-day.html.  If you don't see your own location on the map, then yours isn't yet registered with the ARRL.  Follow the link below the map to have it added.