GETTING OUT

Many amateur — or “ham” — radio hobbyists develop their skills to provide lines of communication when other avenues of communication have failed, and they need to practice to keep those skills current.

During the weekend of June 24-25, hams across the country will set up operations to make as many contacts as possible within 24 hours for this year’s American Radio Relay League Field Day. The Mason County Amateur Radio Club, which operates under the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, will join in.

John Carpenter, with the Mason County Communications Unit, is one of roughly two dozen Mason County Amateur Radio Club members, and one of several licensed ham radio volunteers in the county who act to support operations at the Department of Emergency Management at the Mason County Public Works facility in Shelton.

“We’re badged through the county to allow us to support various government operations on county-owned frequencies,” Carpenter said. “That includes search and rescue, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Aviation, the National Park Service and others. We also recently practiced operations in support of Cascadia Rising, simulating the aftermath of the ‘big one.’ ”

Carpenter estimated several hundred ham radio operators are throughout the county, with as many as 30 hams taking part in the ARRL Field Days as contests, while others “just want to get out and have fun.” He said he expects both types of “hams” to join the Mason County Amateur Radio Club in setting up several stations at the Public Works facility at 100 Public Works Drive, just off U.S. Highway 101, on June 24 and 25.

You don’t need to be a member of the Mason County Amateur Radio Club, or even an amateur radio operator, to stop by and see the action.

“The event is free for all, and we encourage folks to bring their whole families out for a visit,” Carpenter said. “Our intent is to generate some interest in becoming a licensed radio operator, and maybe even volunteering. We’d like for the public to come out and see what we can do in support of the community, when we’re needed and called upon.”

Carpenter encourages high school students to attend, particularly those interested in STEM subjects, because many hams started their adult electronics careers as young amateur radio operators, he said.

“Ham radio is ‘the hobby of a thousand hobbies,’ offering something for everyone,” Carpenter said. “Even if you’re a licensed operator wishing to get in on the operations, no registration is necessary to be part of the ARRL Field Day. Just show up. We’ll get you involved. You may even get a chance to talk on the radio to some far-off place.”

Brian Core, past president of the Mason County radio club, said this year marks the club’s first field day since 2019, due to COVID. However, several operators took part in the field day on their own at various locations.

“The general public can decide if they want to take time to get licensed,” Core said. “Dave Brooks offers classes and exams.”

The Mason County Amateur Radio Club’s website is http://www.mc-arc.org.

Author Bio

Kirk Boxleitner, Reporter

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
[email protected]