Whether it is a tsunami in Japan, an earthquake in Turkey, a volcano in Indonesia, or a tornado here at home, someone with a radio, a battery, and an antenna can get critical information to those outside the impacted area.
Amateur radio, or ham radio, is alive and well today. Many have a radio just in case of an emergency or a disaster, offering them a direct connection to the county’s Emergency Operations Center or communicating using one of the five repeaters, each with a unique capability, right here in Hamilton County.
The Central Indiana Amateur Radio Association partners with Hamilton County Emergency Management (HCEM) to participate in the nationwide Amateur Radio Field Day each year. This year’s event will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 and 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 25. The event is open to the public and is a great opportunity to check out how amateur radio works. The public is welcome to stop by Coxhall Gardens at 11677 Towne Road, Carmel (116th Street and Towne Road), and check out the setup of emergency response equipment, including radios, satellite systems, mobile operations centers, and drones.
Last year’s setup of the Amateur Radio Field Day brought hams together from across central Indiana. (Photo provided)
“The event is great for those interested in electronics, communications, and emergency preparedness,” HCEM Executive Director Shane Booker said.
Nate Key, a 14-year-old who recently became licensed, said, “I am looking forward to Field Day! If there are students like me who are interested in electronics, radios, or how things work, come check it out. It will be a lot of fun.”
Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill, and service to our communities and nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933 and remains the most popular event in ham radio.
For more information, visit arrl.org/field-day, n9eoc.org, or hamiltoncounty.in.gov/races.
