08/01/2008 | KI4LBF The Daytona Beach CERT ARC (DBCERTARC) and Daytona Beach Amateur Radio Association, Inc. (DBARA)teamed up for a first ever ARRL Field Day operation at the City of Daytona Beach's Emergency Operations Center, located at the Daytona Beach Police Department, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Members from both clubs operated HF SSB, HF Digital, and a HF GOTA station under the KI4LBF call sign. The site, established as the City's core command center in 2005, has permanently installed HF and VHF stations and antennas, and is an integral part of the City's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP).


40 members of both clubs participated in the event for the full 24 hour period, and made just shy of 400 QSO's. The GOTA station made contacts with three non-hams making their first contacts via amateur radio. Over 30 visitors were provided ham radio information at the Info Booth, including the Citys Emergency Management Coordinator and police and fire officials.


Plans for next year's event are already in the works...the EOC and police department will be moved to a brand new $25 million dollar facility on the NW side of the City - and it includes DBCERT ARC's ham radio station and a tower/beam! -- WB4OMM