(Photo above: HIDARG ham radio operators Jeff Moore (left) and Max Vaughn operate an emergency station set up in the St. Charles Bend parking during a drill | courtesy of ARRL, HIDARG and PIO Donald Shurtleff)
The Deschutes County Commissioners have declared the week of June 20 through June 26 as Amateur Radio Week. The week’s events include Ham Radio Field Day, an annual event that is both a training exercise and contest combined. Ham radio operators from the High Desert Amateur Radio Group will construct a complete operating station at a remote location in a short amount of time. The objective is to work as many stations as possible on amateur radio. The event is designed to develop skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio. Visitors will be able to see the stations in operation. The public is invited to visit the station on Saturday, June 25 from noon until 8pm and on Sunday, June 26 from 8-11am at Creekside Park at Hwy 20 and East Jefferson Avenue in Sisters. Ham radio operators will be available to discuss “communications preparedness” with people interested in knowing what they can do to stay in touch during disasters. There will be a special station available that will allow members of the public to talk on the air. By Donald Shurtleff Public Information Officer High Desert Amateur Radio Group 541-771-2065 cell donshurtleff@earthlink.net
