Kay NewsCow | Kay County Amateur Radio Club’s Winter Field Day slated for Jan. 25

PONCA CITY — The Kay County Amateur Radio Club’s Winter Field Day will be held at 10 a.m. on Jan. 25  at the VFW, 2821 east Prospect. 

Club members will start setting up antennas and radio equipment to start broadcasting at 1p.m. Three means of communicating will be used, phone Morse Code and digital.

Radios and equipment used are capable of operating from 12 volt batteries to allow for rustic locations without commercial power, also operating from a remote location, with or without commercial power. 

Depending on conditions contacts will be attempted using satellites. As many contacts as possible will be made in as many states and countries around the world as possible. Around 4 p.m. the equipment will be taken down.

Points are awarded for contacts made but also for visitors that come to observe the operation and therefore the public is welcome to come see the operations and in fact participation is also encouraged as this is also a means of recruiting new members to the hobby of amateur radio.

The KCARC holds two field day exercises each year as well as Parks On The Air exercises several times a year. 

Several members participate during severe thunderstorms to spot and follow the storms reporting tornadoes to the local Emergency Communication Center. There are monthly meetings as well as weekly meetings on the air. 

Plans are being made to hold classes for anyone interested in acquiring a license from the FCC to operate a radio. The tests for these licenses are given locally every other month.  Anyone interested in ham radio can take advantage of the opportunity.

The Kay County Amateur Radio Club is composed of local amateur radio operators that are capable of communicating world wide over the radio. Though the internet has taken over much of the world wide communications, if the internet and cell phone communication were to go down due to storms, earthquakes or other catastrophes, amateur radio would be available.