Musings

Preparing For An EMERGENCY

BY FRANCINE FULTON

When a natural disaster like a hurricane occurs and traditional forms of communication like cellphones are unavailable, amateur radio operators, often referred to as “hams,” are called in to provide communication services. This was also true on 9/11, when hams were asked to set up their transmitting and receiving equipment until other communication services could be restored.

To prepare for an emergency, hams hold an annual practice emergency drill event called Field Day, which typically occurs on the fourth weekend in June. The event dates back to 1933 and is sponsored each year by the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL), which was formed in 1914. Field Day events take place throughout the United States and Canada.

Locally, Field Day took place on June 25 and 26 in Ludwig’s Corner, attracting participants from throughout Chester County. The goal, other than transmitting and receiving messages under emergency conditions, was to see how many other Field Day stations the operators could contact in a 24-hour period in the U.S. and Canada.

Participants used voice and Morse code when making contacts with other radio operators, as well as a digital communication using computers. “Instead of using the laptop to get on the internet, it is connected to the radio, and it is transmitting the digital signal to the station on the other end,” explained Field Day participant Joe Fell. “Digital is preferred when you need a transcript of the communication exchange. Morse code is a major benefit when signals are weak since it can easily be heard.”

Fell designed and operates a repeater in the Parkesburg area; a repeater is a radio station that automatically takes an incoming signal and simultaneously “repeats” it to a wide area. “A repeater is a transmitter that is remotely located, typically on a mountain,” said Fell. “It receives a radio signal from a car or home and retransmits it out at much higher power. My repeater, which is one of the most active ones is Chester County, has 80 users. (While not a club), we have a breakfast once a month, and everyone that operates on (my) repeater wanted to participate in this year’s Field Day.”

He reported that the age span of the operators on Field Day ranged from 10 to 80 years old. “During our 24 hours of operation, the stations made contact with over 1,300 stations throughout Canada and the United States using voice, digital and Morse code,” Fell said, adding that George Robinson, Field Day chairman, was able to secure the event location.

Fell noted that the participants utilized solar or generator power, antennas, transmitters and receivers commonly called transceivers while enjoying plenty of coffee since the event lasted 24 hours. “Planning has already begun for next year’s Field Day,” he added.

Those interested in becoming amateur radio operators must obtain a license and pass an exam. “(Which) examination is given is based on the class of licensed that is being applied for,” noted Fell.

To learn more, contact Fell at wa3gms@gmail. com. More information is also available at www.arrl .org.

Local ham radio operators, including Bob Wick (left) and Keith Thomas (right), take part in Field Day.

musings The Dog Days Of Summer

By Francine Fulton

At the beginning of each summer season, I sadly put away my favorite flannel nightgown in the back of the closet. It is well worn and very soft from multiple washings. But I know it will not get any use for several long months during my leastfavorite time of year - summer.

I know many people love the summer season and I am probably in the minority, but for me summer means humidity that either frizzes up for flattens hair; mosquitoes, gnats, flies and other nasty bugs; seasonal allergies; and a time when the heat makes both

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outdoor chores and recreation unpleasant.

Summer also means listening to forecasters using those dreaded weather-related phrases that one only hears in summertime like high dew point readings, heat wave and tropical moisture. Then there are those adjectives used to describe the heat and humidity: oppressive, sultry, steamy, sticky and stifling. Yes, there are summer storms that cool everything down, but they also mean downed trees and power outages.

I also feel for those whose job requires them to work outdoors, including construction workers, road crew members, flaggers, trash haulers, roof installers, factory workers, mail carriers, landscapers and grass mowers.

The self-help experts tell us to always try to find the positive in the negative. So what are summer’s redeeming qualities?

First, there is the seasonal food. There is nothing like freshly picked produce such as corn on the cob, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupe, peaches and strawberries. Nothing beats a salad with fresh ingredients, a watermelon served cold or freshly squeezed lemonade.

A way to escape the heat is to find water. Some people may use a backyard pool while others can enjoy a community pool. Chester County offers a variety of water-related recreation at locations such as Marsh Creek State Park in Eagle. It does require some travel time, but Blue Marsh Lake in Reading is a great spot for swimming and boating.

Summer also brings nature to life. It is a time when colorful flowers are in bloom, when trees are filled with ripe fruits ready for picking and when we can see and hear birds of every color and size. For people who garden, there is the joy of raising a rosebush that produces fragrant flowers or having a perfectly manicured garden, lawn or flower bed.

Summer also means vacations, time off school for children, trips to the Jersey shore, longer days and, of course, watching the Phillies.

We are now in the middle of the “dog days of summer,” which is the time when we deal with the season’s highest temperatures and humidity. So stock up on the lemonade, find a pool to swim in, enjoy a watermelon or a bowl of fresh fruit, take in the scenery, pick a bouquet of flowers and be sure to catch a Phillies game. I plan to do the same while sneaking a peek every now and again in the back of my closet and dreaming about the day I can wear that flannel nightgown once again.