Ham Operator Field Day Set
The weekend of June 25-26 is an important one for the Butts County Amateur Radio Club. Each year, on the last weekend of June, amateur radio operators all across America participate in Field Day.
Ham radio clubs and individuals take their equipment to a remote location where they set up an emergency radio station. These stations are powered by solar, battery or other non-commercial power sources. Over two days, hams make hundreds of QSOs (contacts) with other hams across the U.S. and around the world.
Field Day has been the most important weekend for hams since the early 1900s. The Butts County Amateur Radio Club serves as an important communications back-up for local emergency agencies including Homeland Security. So it’s important that the club test its ability to set up an emergency station without the normal infrastructure.
The Butts County Club is one of the most active in the state attracting members from the adjoining counties of Jasper, Henry, Spalding, Monroe and Pike. Of the club’s 30 or so members, at least four live in Jasper County. Club member Anthony Strite lives in Monticello. “I enjoy amateur radio for several reasons,” explains Strite. “Not only do we serve the community in the important area of emergency communications, we undergo constant technical training learning more and more about electronics and wave propagation.”
Anthony and his dad—also a ham–recently attained the highest class license by studying a test pool of more than 600 questions covering math, electronic circuitry, and physics.
The amateur radio club will set up its operations at the Butts County Recreation Center in Jackson under a pavilion for this year’s Field Day event. Anyone interested in emergency communication or amateur radio is invited to stop by and “get on the air.”
The club placed first in the state in its category two years ago and last year placed second in a much more competitive category. During the 48-hour marathon, three teams will constantly man three radio stations. The club hopes to capture first place again this year.
If you’re interested in becoming a ham radio operator, visit the club’s website at www.bcgaares.org or call club president, Buzz Kutcher at 770-298-0451.
