Local amateur radio enthusiasts will gear up for the hurricane season June 28-29, honing their emergency communications skills at “Field Day.”

Ham operators from throughout central and south Baldwin County will construct an amateur radio station at Garrett Park in Robertsdale, setting up radios and emergency power sources and stringing antennas — preparing to test their abilities in this annual nationwide event.

Field Day, which began over 70 years ago, was designed as a competition to test operators’ abilities to set up and operate portable stations under emergency conditions such as the loss of electricity or the collapse or compromise of other infrastructure that can occur during a crisis. During the weekend event, operators contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible during the 24-hour period from 1 p.m. Saturday through 1 p.m. Sunday.

But Field Day is much more than a contest for the ham operators in our coastal counties, where they are called upon nearly every year to provide emergency communications during hurricane season. Whenever there is an emergency activation in Baldwin County, local ham operators will be using their Field Day skills to set up and staff radios at every hurricane shelter to provide constant, reliable contact with the Emergency Operations Center.

“Many hams who participate in Field Day around the country never get to use their skills in a true emergency situation,” observed Bob Suberi of Orange Beach, president of the South Baldwin Amateur Radio Club. “That’s not true for those of us on the Gulf Coast, where hurricane activations are a frequent occurrence. Field Day is a key training exercise for our role in helping public safety officials keep track of what’s happening during weather emergencies.”

This year, the South Baldwin Amateur Radio Club plans to operate at least two stations, one voice and one Morse code, and to have someone on the air round the clock, weather and band conditions permitting.

“To do that we need lots of operators, so we invite all licensed amateurs to come out and lend a hand, either working the radio or logging contacts,” said Field Day chair Lou Aiken.

Members of the general public are encouraged to come observe and even get on the air under the guidance of a licensed ham operator.

“Come out to the park anytime after 1 p.m. on Saturday the 28th. We’ll do our best to get you on the air. You never know where you might make a contact. In past Field Days, we have talked with folks throughout the continental U.S., but also on Hawaii, several Caribbean islands, and even Australia,” Aiken observed. “We especially enjoy having families visit the site so their children can make their first radio contacts.”

To reach Garrett Park from Alabama Highway 59 in Robertsdale, turn west on Barginer Drive (the street just north of the Greer’s grocery plaza) and then turn north (right) onto Park Avenue. Field Day stations will be set up under the large open pavilion near the Kids Park.

For additional information about Field Day or becoming an amateur radio operator, contact Aiken (251) 981-6786.