Hams to hold Field Day at Frazier

FALLBROOK — The Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club will be participating in Field Day 2008, an emergency preparedness exercise, June 28-29. The public and ham radio operators are invited to visit their site at Frazier Elementary School’s athletic field, 1835 Gum Tree Lane.

On Saturday, June 28, setup begins at 7 a.m. and on-air operations begin at 11. On Sunday, June 29, on-air operations end and tear-down begins at 11 a.m.

For maps and the latest information, see http://www.fallbrookarc.org; operators can talk in frequencies 146.175+ 107.2 and 445.600- 107.2.

The premise of Field Day is to prove that in an emergency, amateur radio operators, “hams,” are capable of setting up radio stations in the field and, by using portable antennas and emergency power (generators, batteries, solar, human-generated), they are able to contact many other groups around North America doing the same thing. There are more than 2,500 clubs, groups and individuals that participate in Field Day.

Since its inception in the 1930s, Field Day has evolved into one of the most popular amateur radio events by far. It is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the National Association for Amateur Radio.

Even those who are not licensed amateurs are welcome to attend Field Day and see what it’s all about. There will be plenty of experienced and friendly people to show them around and perhaps guide them through an on-air contact.