WICHITA AMATEUR RADIO ENTHUSIASTS PRACTICE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DURING ANNUAL "FIELD DAY"

1. WICHITA AMATEUR RADIO ENTHUSIASTS PRACTICE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DURING ANNUAL "FIELD DAY" • (WICHITA, KS—June 26) -- Members of the Boeing Employees’ Amateur Radio Society (BEARS) of Wichita are teaming with members of the Wichita Amateur Radio Club (WARC), the Wichita, KS VFW Radio Club, and the Newton Amateur Radio Club in putting their emergency communications skills to the test during "Field Day 2010," June 26 and 27, at the Spirit/Boeing Employees’ Association lake. The annual preparedness exercise helps ensure that Amateur Radio (or "ham radio") volunteers are ready to assist their communities in the event of emergencies or disasters. Field Day is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)--the national association for Amateur Radio. • "During the event, we set up and operate our equipment much as we would during emergency conditions, such as the loss of commercial power and loss or saturation of cellular telephone systems", says Jim Enix, BEARS president. "When the community needs us, we'll be ready." Over the past year, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications in emergencies world-wide. Following the Greensburg tornado, Amateur Radio was often the ONLY way people could communicate, and hundreds of volunteer “hams” traveled to the area to help save lives and property. Wichita area ham volunteers provide emergency communications for the Sedgwick and Butler County Emergency Operations Centers, the National Weather Service, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. • Field Day is a serious test of skill, but it's also a time for fun and fellowship. During the weekend, radio operators try to contact as many other participating Field Day stations as possible, simulating the sort of speedy on-air skills needed to assist town officials and served agencies during an emergency. “Several other Boeing clubs participate including St. Louis, Philadelphia, Seattle and Southern California”, said Randy Wing, BEARS Field Day coordinator. “We make a special point of contacting other Boeing clubs, and we compete with them for the greatest number of contacts.” Approximately 35,000 Amateur Radio operators across the country participated in last year's event. The first Field Day was held in 1933. • Club members will be using the newest digital and satellite capabilities, traditional voice communications and even historical Morse code. "We're inviting the public to come out and see firsthand what this event--and Amateur Radio--is all about," says Wing. Two served agencies - the Salvation Army and the National Weather Service will be attending this years event. The Greater Wichita Amateur Radio Field Day at the SBEA Lake (MacArthur and Gold) will run from Saturday, June 26 at 1:00 pm, to Sunday, June 27 at 1:00 pm. • Today there are nearly 700,000 Amateur Radio operators in the United States and more than 2.5 million worldwide. Information on how to become involved in Amateur Radio is available from ARRL--the national association for Amateur Radio, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111 or by calling 1-800-32-NEW HAM. Visit ARRL on the Web at www.arrl.org. For More Information: 776-9350 Jim Enix jamenbafre56@yahoo.com