The Ozark Mountain Amateur Radio Club participated last weekend in the Society for the Preservation of Radio’s annual winter field days at the Raymondville Fire Department.
More than 20 local amateur radio operators (hams) participated in the 24-hour exercise. The purpose was to simulate emergency communications procedures if ever called upon during a time of disaster. The club set up antennas and radios, then operated on four different frequency bands using batteries for the entire period.
Club president Willie Adey said the event was successful in several ways. First, the club made more than 200 contacts with amateurs across the country and secondly was the comradeship developed between the members of the club. A third benefit from the exercise was the introduction of amateur radio to the public. Several visitors stopped by to watch the operators make contacts with other stations and observe the event.
The group thanked the Raymondville Fire Department for use of its facilities.
Anyone interested in getting involved with amateur radio is invited to attend a monthly club meeting the third Saturday of each month at Pizza Express in Houston.