For More Information Contact:

Darrell Hover or Michael Harbour

Public Relations Volunteers

Meridian Amateur Radio Club

Phone: (601) 626-0053 or (601) 483-0786

News Summary: Meridian Hams Gear Up to Set Long Distance Contact Records and Practice Emergency Communication Skills that could help our community in the event of a real disaster.

In Meridian on June 23-24, 2001 -- Many of the local area Amateur Radio operators will work 'round the clock this weekend to set up field radio communication stations, get on the air, and contact thousands of other operators in the US and Canada as part of participation in the American Radio Relay League's Field Day.

According to Phillip Duke, President of the Meridian Amateur Radio Club, Field Day is the annual "shakedown run" for the ARRL's National Field Organization. Field Day is a way for hams to get outdoors and have fun under some difficult conditions. It is also a chance to fine-tune emergency communication skills to aid assistance to our communities. We use generators and battery power, and we set up antennas in the field. The idea is to put together a self-sufficient, working station quickly and begin making contacts.

The ARRL Field Organization has been effective in establishing emergency communications nets during floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and other major disasters. Members of formal emergency organizations such as the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the Radio Amateur Communication Emergency Services (RACES) regularly participate. The League estimates that more than 35,000 hams participate in Field Day every year.

This year, MARC Field Day operations will be held at Bonita Lakes Pavilion #2. Field day setup will begin on the morning of June 23^rd.  The public is invited. For more information, contact Darrell Hover (601) 626-0053 or Michael Harbour (601) 483-0786.

Summary: Meridian Amateur Radio operators to contact thousands of other hams throughout North America in nation's largest ham radio on-air event.

Who: Licensed Amateur Radio Operators in Lauderdale and Clark Counties and anyone wanting to learn about this exciting and important means of emergency communications.

What: Hams will set up and operate field radio stations to contact other hams throughout the US and Canada over 24 hours. Objective is to see who can make the highest number of contacts during the contest period.

Where: Bonita Lakes Pavilion #2

When: June 23 & June 24

Why: Participation in the American Radio Relay League's Field Day. Amateur Radio operators practice communication skills under primitive conditions, with generator and battery-powered equipment and portable antennas. Special awards are given for "alternative" power sources such as solar, wind and methane. Field Day is a competition as well as a "trial run" for emergency communication skills used during disaster situations.

Photo opportunities, interviews, activities of local participants in important national Amateur Radio event. See all Amateur Radio communication modes in action, including voice, code, and packet radio.


Contact: Darrell Hover (601)-626-0053 or Michael Harbour (601) 483-0786.