07/16/2003 | W7RDR Peninsula Hams Practiced Emergency Communication Skills During Field Day on the Long Beach Peninsula of Washington State

The Pacific County Amateur Radio Club (PCARC) of Washington State held their second Field Day operating event the weekend of June 28 at the Nahcotta Mooring Basin and adjoining property of Morehead Park. This waterfront area has proven to be an excellent site for radio transmissions and has now for a second time been used through the generosity of both Port of Peninsula and Ocean Park Retreat Centers.

Several Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) were contacted throughout the country. Dan Dimick demonstrated digital message handling thru packet radio which functions somewhat like an internet without wires. Dan also demonstrated APRS which radios GPS location, speed and heading data to other APRS equipped stations, both fixed and mobile and the results are displayed on a laptop or other computer screen. For emergency use, APRS can show EOC commanders where their mobile assets are and track their progress. Field Day chairman Bob Cline said the rumor is not correct that Dan has a unit mounted on his wifes car.

The public was invited and visitors included Pacific County Commissioner Bud Cuffel who observed the clubs ability to quickly put together a field operating station and help set up the antennas. PCARC made 292 radio contacts versus 194 last year with other amateur stations ranging from Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Florida, four provinces of Canada and 35 states. Last year we contacted 29 states. This Field Day demonstrated the capability of radio amateurs of Pacific County to contact nearly every state and province in an emergency. The photo shows Stephanie Fritts, Pacific County Emergency Services Coordinator making radio contacts and Clyde Sayce, Port of the Peninsula Commissioner logging her contacts. The club president, Chuck Weimer is shown operating in Morehead Park from a temporary shelter.

The club meets the first Sunday of each month at 9:00AM at Chucks Restaurant in Long Beach. Anyone interested in ham radio is encouraged to attend.

For more information contact: Bob Cline N7CVW, Field Day Chairman 360 665-4496. -- N7CVW