Field Day 2013 Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association

add to outlook add to google calendar remind me

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

The Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association (NARA) will be participated in the annual FIELD DAY amateur radio exercise from Saturday June 22 to Sunday June 23 at Beban Park by the livestock barns. Starting at approximately 11:00 am on the 22nd and finishing 23rd at 1pm.
This field day event is co-sponsored by the Radio Amateurs of Canada and the American Radio Relay League. The primary purpose of FIELD DAY, which began in the United States in 1933, is to encourage emergency communications preparedness among amateur radio operators in Canada and the United States.
NARA is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year and has a number of licensed radio operators as well as student members of the club. This year the club members will set up radios, antennas and other communications equipment at its temporary station located at Beban Park.
There is a competitive element to this event and points are awarded to participating clubs for using alternative power sources and innovative and experimental equipment. Points are also awarded for the type and number of radio contacts made during this twenty four hour period. NARA�s members are licensed to operate on various radio frequencies using Morse code or voice to communicate with hundreds of other Hams from all over Canada and USA while taking their turn operating the club�s radios.

Ham radio is a fun and fascinating hobby for all ages and is comprised of many different components ranging from communicating with other Hams just a few miles away to making contacts thousands of miles away on other continents, to building radios and antennas, to serving the community. NARA members volunteer their time and equipment to provide reliable communications at various local community events such as the annual Bathtub Race. During major disasters, amateur radio provides a vital service to a community in crisis by assuring reliable means of emergency communications when conventional telephone, cell phone and internet services fail. NARA is part of the Provincial Emergency Program and plays an important role within the City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo Emergency Management programs. We also have fun events such as �Foxhunts� once a month, a little bit like geocaching but we track down a radio transmission from a small box that is hidden in town, somewhere.
NARA invites the public to come down and join us this weekend or to contact them to learn more about this hobby. Morse Code is not a requirement for the examination anymore but can be added on once a person has obtained their basic license if interested. We do offer a training course for those interested. Please visit our website www.ve7na.ca for more information or contact Ron Gibson VE7GOA Phone 250 714 6819 email; [email protected]