Ham radio operators on the air for nationwide communications drill

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. – Ham radio operators across southeast Wisconsin are gearing up for a nationwide communications drill.

It’s part of the annual emergency communication exercise for the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL). The Local Emergency Field Operating Group (LEFROG) and the Milwaukee Area Amateur Radio Society (MAARS) will be participating at the Ozaukee County Justice Center in Port Washington. The Field Day operation will run from 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 28 until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 29.

Hams from across the U.S. typically participate in Field Day by setting up temporary ham radio stations in public locations to showcase their skills and service. It highlights ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location, creating an independent, wireless communications network.

“Over 100 years ago people started playing with ham radios and started learning about it,” Milwaukee Area Amateur Radio Society president Dave Schank told WTMJ. “That eventually led to radio stations like WTMJ and some of the other technologies we have today.”

Some hams from southeastern Wisconsin will also use the radio stations set up in their homes or their backyards and other locations to operate individually or with their families. Many hams have portable radio communication capabilities that include alternative energy sources, such as generators, solar panels, and batteries, to power their equipment.

“Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers,” said Schank. “Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems, and a station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes.”

“Some people thought nobody does this anymore, and we do. A lot of people are still involved in the hobby, and we are probably at our highest number we’ve ever been when it comes to licensed ham operators,” Schank said.

According to ARRL, there are more than 750,000 amateur radio licensees in the U.S., and an estimated 3 million worldwide.