Hams have a field day at Bradley Park
Published 4:00 am Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Newton County’s resident ham expert, Terry Atwood, reported a successful field day experience last Saturday. The Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) field day event is an annual 24-hour emergency preparedness exercise in which amateur radio operators set up temporary transmitting stations.
Atwood reported the event was five-by-five, with radio contacts made in eleven states and Canada over the 10-, 15-, 20-, and 40-meter bands.
The field day gave seven new hams the opportunity to learn how to set up in the field, work high frequency, and use solar-powered batteries to simulate emergency conditions.
Adding to the event’s relevance, Atwood said the ARRL requested that hams worldwide avoid using the frequency 7.135 MHz because it is being used for emergency and disaster communications in Venezuela, where significant earthquake damage has left large portions of the country without power.
Those interested in learning more about amateur radio and its role in emergency communications can attend classes at the Fellowship Hall of the Jasper Methodist Church starting July 23 at 7 p.m. Attendees will learn how to get licensed as an amateur radio operator.
