On the last weekend in June, the South Bay Amateur Radio Association (SBARA) hosted its annual Amateur Radio Field, turning a local park into a hub of communication technology, education and community engagement.
The event, part of a national initiative coordinated by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), served as both a test of emergency preparedness and a public demonstration of the modern capabilities of amateur radio.
From early Saturday morning through Sunday morning, club members worked around the clock to set up antennas, operate stations and make contacts with fellow operators across North America and Canada. The atmosphere was equal parts festival and field exercise, with tents, portable power sources, radio gear and information booths drawing curious visitors, emergency personnel and local officials.
“Our goal is to show the community that when traditional forms of communication fail—whether due to natural disasters, cyberattacks or infrastructure outages—Amateur Radio operators are ready and capable of stepping in,” said SBARA public information representative William Artelt.
Field Day is the largest on-air operating event of the year, with over 35,000 licensed hams across the U.S. and Canada taking part. Participants try to make as many contacts as possible over a 24-hour period using emergency power, simulating real-life emergency communication conditions.
SBARA’s setup included both voice and digital stations, solar-powered gear and demonstrations of Winlink—an email-over-radio system used in disaster response. Instructors were on hand to explain how amateur radio integrates with emergency services, and several visitors even tried their hand at making contacts under the supervision of licensed operators.
“People are often surprised at how sophisticated and relevant amateur radio still is,” said club member and emergency coordinator Steve Wilson SBARA President. We use technologies like satellites, and digital signal modes that rival what you see in commercial and military applications.”
Local CERT teams, fire department officials, stopped by the site to observe the club in action and express their support.
Beyond the technical goals, the event also served as an outreach opportunity. Club volunteers distributed flyers, answered questions and encouraged people of all ages to consider getting licensed. Amateur Radio, often called “ham radio,” is open to anyone and requires only a modest investment in equipment and a short exam to get started.
As the sun set on Sunday and antennas were packed away, the mood was celebratory. SBARA had not only achieved a successful contact count but had also succeeded in its larger mission—educating the public, building relationships and preparing the South Bay community for whatever challenges might come.
For more information on how to get involved or attend a future meeting, visit our club website at: sbara.org/meetings.php.
