San Diego County CA– A local amateur ham radio club will take part in a 24-hour nationwide event designed to encourage disaster preparedness and competency in amateur radio operation at Mission Trails Regional Park this Saturday and Sunday. The public is invited to join the Six Shooters Amateur Radio Club as they set up a large field position in the East Fortuna Staging Area of the park from where they will be broadcasting to amateur ham radio operators across the U.S.
The event, titled ‘National Amateur Radio Field Day’ is designed to encourage competency in amateur radio skills by providing operators an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in abnormal situations. There will be a station set up for public use, where guests will be able to communicate with other Americans taking part in the same event throughout the country. Radio clubs across the country will have the objective of contacting as many other amateur radio stations as possible in the 24-hour period.
“This event is a great chance for people to come out and learn more about ham radios and to connect with other radio clubs across the country. It’s a wonderful sense of community when you have hundreds of other stations nationwide to choose from, and we can guarantee that guests will meet folks they otherwise wouldn’t have,” said Joe Acevedo, a member of the Six Shooters Amateur Radio Club.
What began as a one-time test of portable operation of radio equipment in 1914 is now one of the single-largest amateur radio events in the world. The event was and still is largely held to test the ability of operators to establish communications in the event of a global or local telecommunications breakdown. The public will also have a chance to learn about what they can do if the modern communications grid goes out, and how they can establish connection with others in the country.
Mission Trails Regional Park is located in the eastern part of the City of San Diego. The East Fortuna Staging Area is accessible from Mast Boulevard exit of the 52 freeway. Drivers should follow the signs leading to the park from the freeway exit until they reach the horse corrals, picnic facilities and restrooms on the east end of the park. While the club will be operating for 24 hours straight, the public will only be able to join during park hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday.
To learn more about the Six Shooters Amateur Radio Club visit sdsixshooters.org. For more information about Mission Trails Regional Park visit mtrp.org.
WHO: – Six Shooters Amateur Radio Club – Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation
WHERE: Mission Trails Regional Park East Fortuna Staging Area Visitor Center. Located at the west end of Mast Boulevard off of SR 52
WHEN: Event runs for 24 hours from 11 a.m. Saturday, June 28 to 11 a.m. Sunday, June 29
Public invited to attend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday