EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated with new dates.
Amateur radio operators, better known as ham radio operators, will take their equipment and hit the road for the annual ARRL field days on June 22 and 23.
The event was organized in 1933 by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States.
Hams from across North America participate in field days by establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service. Their use of radio signals, which reach beyond borders, brings people together while providing essential communication in the service of communities.
Twenty-seven field day broadcast locations are in Alabama and hundreds throughout the nation. Addresses of locations are found here.
Field Days highlight ham radio’s ability to work reliably under most conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network. It’s not all about work as the Hams compete for contacts in a variety of formats, and against other Ham clubs their size all across the United States. It’s just a lot of fun and fellowship for everyone.
One well-known Alabama radio operator will be setting up and broadcasting on Field Days. He is Bill “Bubba” Bussey, the celebrity co-host of the daily “Rick & Bubba” Show, which originates in Birmingham but is syndicated throughout the Southeastern United States.
Details on Field Days and how you can participate are here.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama. He writes about Alabama people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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