Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Ham radio operators hold annual field day
Listen
Ham radio operators hold annual field day
Ham radio operators have turned local parks, emergency operations centers, and even a hospital into makeshift radio stations this weekend. KPCC’s Susan Valot says it’s part of the American Radio Relay League’s annual “field day,” which wraps up today.
Tents, portable radio towers, and loads of equipment – if you drive by one of the amateur radio locations this weekend, you’ll definitely know it. The ham radio operators use emergency power to relay messages to each other over the “field day” weekend. The competition involves contacting as many other amateur radio operators in other states and countries as you can in a 24-hour period.
The competitors can’t use phones, the Internet, or any other forms of communication that get wiped out during earthquakes, fires, or other disasters. And this year, some lucky amateur radio people might get the chance to make contact with an astronaut on the International Space Station.
More than 30,000 people are expected to take part in the “field day” nationwide. You can find some of the Southern California competitors at Los Lomas Community Park in Irvine, Huntington Beach Hospital, and Northrop Grumman in Manhattan Beach.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
