Amateur radio and emergency prepardness at Sonoma Skypark

The Valley of the Moon Amateur Radio Club is inviting everyone interested in amateur radio communications to join them at their annual Field Day event Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, at the east end of Sonoma Skypark Airport, 21870 Eighth St. E., in Sonoma. Field Day always takes place on the fourth full weekend of June.

Club members will be erecting antennas and towers Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m., and will be wrapping up the operation at 11 a.m. Visitors are always welcome to watch.

Field Day, the most time-honored tradition in the hobby, was inaugurated in 1933 as a local, national and international test of portable radio equipment for use during disaster. It has evolved into an annual event focusing on preparedness for communications emergencies.

The Club has been setting up an emergency-powered station during Field Day at Sonoma Skypark for years.

Field Day is open to all amateurs in the areas covered by the ARRL/RAC Field Organizations and countries within IARU Region 2. DX stations residing in other regions may be contacted for credit, but are not eligible to submit entries.

The object is to work as many stations as possible on any and all amateur bands (excluding the 60, 30, 17, and 12-meter bands) and in doing so, to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less-than-optimal conditions. Such events help develop skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of amateur radio.

There are specific rules and awards for various operating conditions and equipment. Field Day has become a competitive event to encourage clubs and individuals to expand their capabilities so they are better prepared to operate more effectively and efficiently in emergency conditions.

For more information, go to the Club website at VOMARC.org.