Chatsworth 'Radio Hams' Join in National Deployment

This weekend San Fernando Valley “hams,” including several from Chatsworth, will join approximately 35,000 Amateur Radio operators in the United States and Canada who are participating in an annual emergency preparedness event called “Field Day.”

Using only emergency power supplies, ham operators will set up radio stations in a variety of locations.  This event allows hams to demonstrate and practice their ability to send messages in many forms without the use of telephone systems, Internet, or any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis.  

Field Day begins at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 25 and continues overnight until 11 a.m. Sunday.  

The public is invited to visit a Field Day in the San Fernando Valley and to try using amateur radio under the supervision of a licensed ham at a special “Get on the Air” station set up just for visitors.  Children are especially welcome.

There are two Field Day local locations.  The first is at Pierce College in parking lot 6, just east of the Theater.  This location will be setup and manned by the Los Angeles Section Amateur Radio Emergency Services group.  

The other Valley location will be at Granada Hills Charter High School, near the baseball field.  This station is being setup and manned by the San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club.  

For other Field Day locations, visit  www.arrl.org/field-day and click on the Field Day Locator.

-- Clara Woll