Since its invention, radio has been one of the most important means of communication.
Generations spent their nights listening to the news or the first programs broadcast via radio. Despite the accelerated growth of other means of communication, radio is still going strong. And it's not because of a vintage passion: Radio still remains a powerful communication source thanks to the technology behind it and the efforts of some aficionados all around the world.
Curious about the radio world?
From 1 p.m. Saturday through 12:59 p.m. on Sunday in Jefferson City, amateur radio operators will hold a Field Day exercise operated by volunteers. Four amateur radio stations will be set up in the field adjacent to the Porite Jefferson Corporation on Fairgrounds Road, said event coordinator Jerry Sill. The public is invited to watch.
"The stations will be inside emergency communications trailers provided by the Jefferson City Fire Department and Missouri Department of Transportation," Sill said. "The exercise will try to reunite and contact all the amateur radio stations in the United States. This exercise will also simulate how to cooperate in a emergency situation. Most stations will be operating in a compromised environment to simulate what may happen in an emergency situation. We will be "off the grid,' operating on emergency power."
Coordination between all the other ham stations in the United States is an important part of the Field Day.
"The coordination happens because those participating will be on the air at the same time attempting to complete contacts with other stations," Sill said. "The contacts are somewhat random in nature, with some operators calling for other stations and some operators listening for stations making such calls and responding."
Sill stressed that amateur radio is not broadcast radio. Amateur radio cannot broadcast like a typical commercial station. Instead, they are licensed individuals entering into two-way communication with each other.
Amateur radio is considered the last resource in case of emergency or natural disasters.
"During the floods in Colorado a couple of years ago, towns such as Estes Park were completely cut off. There were no telephone lines and Internet and cell phone connections were broken. Ham radio provided communication with the outside world," Sill said. "We like to say we are there when all else fails."
The Field Day is to practice in the event of a catastrophe.
Ham radio operators are hobbyists who provide a public service. The local club works with local hospitals, law enforcement, the Red Cross and the Boy Scouts.
Becoming an operating member requires several steps, including gaining a license from Federal Communications Commission.