Community Corner

Public Invited to Join Amateur Radio 'Field Day' this Weekend

Ham radio operators and Lake County Emergency Management personnel will be testing the Amateur Radio Emergency Services program in Libertyville Saturday and Sunday. Residents are invited to observe and participate.

Lake County amateur (ham) radio operators and emergency management personnel are participating in a nationwide 24-hour emergency communications exercise in Libertyville on Saturday and Sunday.

The event, known as "Field Day," is a test of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services program. More than 35,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last year's event. 
 
The community is invited to join Lake County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) volunteers on the Lake County government campus in Libertyville, located north of Winchester Road, west of Milwaukee Avenue. Follow the "Amateur Radio" signs.

Field Day is open to the public 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday.

Residents will learn about amateur radio and emergency communications through demonstrations. There will also be opportunities for visitors to "get on the air," making voice contact with other amateur stations across the country.

Amateur radio serves an important role in emergency and disaster communications, because "When All Else Fails, Ham Radio Works." Ham operators can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or any other infrastructure that may be damaged or overloaded during a crisis.

"One of the most common challenges in any emergency or disaster is communication, and we are proud of the service that amateur radio volunteers provide to Lake County every year," said Kent McKenzie, Emergency Management Coordinator for Lake County. "Field Day is a great chance for the public to learn more about ham radio."

Additional information about Lake County RACES can be found at www.RACES.org.

Submitted by Lake County


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