Local HAMs Gather at Adams County Fairgrounds
On Saturday, June 28th, amateur radio enthusiasts gathered at the Adams County Fairgrounds for the first Adams County Ham Radio Field Day as part of a nationwide annual event by ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio. ARRL describes Field Day as “ham radio’s open house,” and across the nation over 31,000 hams set up temporary transmitting stations in public and try to communicate with each other, hone their skills, and provide demonstrations and community outreach. Indian Valley Resident, Al Partain, organized the Field day in Adams County this year as part of an effort to get the community more involved in radio communications and bolster emergency preparedness.
On Saturday, the hams were having trouble making contact due to the atmospheric conditions. There had been heightened solar activity the evening before that was interfering with communications. Despite this, everyone was in good spirits and having fun.
Partain has been an advocate for community preparedness and has helped with preparedness groups locally. On the third Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. there is a group in Council that holds a meeting at the Council Valley Free Library and discusses a topic surrounding preparedness- anything from greenhouses and growing gardens, to personal security or firefighting. Anyone who is interested is welcome to come and check it out!
Partain hopes to make Field Day an annual event in Adams County. For more information about future Field Day’s or getting involved in ham radio locally, community members can send an email to adamscountyham@gmail.com.
