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Published on 06/29/1998 All articles from this issue

Hamming it up

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By Scott Fernqvist

Town Crier Editorial Intern

Local radio operators practice with auxiliary power sources

A national emergency appeared to be brewing. Red Cross medical vehicles circled an open field in south Los Altos and men, in teams of five or six, scurried to set up emergency equipment.

But there was no report of an earthquake, tornado, or any other classified disaster.

Local ham radio operators, or hams, were raising their antennas and setting up portable power systems for another reason - to be part of the annual event known as Field Day.

Beginning June 27, members of the local ham radio club, the Foothills Amateur Radio Society, began a race to see who could make the most contacts with other ham operators across the country. And to do it using only auxiliary power. Gasoline and solar power were used to activate the radio's generators.

"People talk about Field Day like it's a big contest. But its main purpose is to test our ability to set up emergency equipment and portable power," said Larry Moore, a ham operator for 25 years and a Los Altos resident.

Field Day is in essence a 24-hour nationwide test, to evaluate communication preparedness under emergency conditions. The social aspect of the outing is also evident. The annual barbecue that took place on the night of June 27, drew 50 people, including ham operators and their families.

Knowledge gained as a result of Field Day is invaluable, especially for newly licensed hams, Moore said. "It's a learning experience."

During past emergency situations, the practice has proven to be useful.

"Five minutes after the Loma Prieta Earthquake, we (hams) knew what to do because we practiced," said Paul Zander, member of the radio society.

Common information that hams relay during the early stages of an emergency include what supplies will be needed, many times that means medical supplies, and the type of damage that occurred.

"We were the communicators and information transmitters even during the tornado that touched down in Los Altos," said Ann Paull, Emergency Coordinator for the City of Los Altos.

During last year's Field Day the radio society made 1,299 contacts within the United States in the designated time period.

"We made more contacts this year, totaling 1,800," said Arvid Hamer, a longtime ham and Los Altos resident.

The radio society is open to anyone interested in radio communications and nearly all of the current members are from the Peninsula.

About half of the 30 participants from the club who took part in Field Day live in Los Altos.

"We have enough hams who are willing to come out in the Los Altos area to help in an emergency," Hamer said.

Currently, there are 10,000 licensed hams in the Bay Area and 300 of those are based in Los Altos.

Reflecting on how Field Day went, Hamer said, "It was a good outing and contest. We had a few problems, which is expected, but we learned a lot. New hams are now better prepared for an emergency."

For those interested in becoming a ham operator or learning about emergency communications, call Ann at 941-2666.