Radio Hams From Across the Cape to Join in National Demonstration

BARNSTABLE – Thousands of amateur radio operators will be showing off their emergency capabilities on June 25.

During Hurricane Katrina, amateur radio, also known as “ham radio”, was the only way people could communicate and hundreds of volunteer “hams” traveled south to save lives and property.

When trouble is brewing, amateur radio operators are often the first to provide rescuers with critical information and communications.

On the weekend of June 25-26, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with Cape Cod ham radio operators and see for themselves what the amateur radio service is about.

Hams from across the USA will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities.

The annual event, called “Field Day” is the climax of the week-long “Amateur Radio Week”.

More than 35,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last year’s event.

In the mid-Cape area, the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club will be demonstrating at the Brewster Sportsman’s Club on June 25 and 26.

The public is invited to come and see ham radio’s new capabilities and learn how to get their own FCC radio license before the next disaster strikes.

There are over 700,000 Amateur Radio licensees in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world.

To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to emergency-radio.org.