In the darkness and confusion in the hours immediately after the 2007 Ground Hog Day Tornado hit The Villages, The Villages Amateur Radio Club self-activated.
Club members automatically began setting up the equipment that serves as a critical link to the outside world in the event of a catastrophic event.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, the amateur radio club began its 24-hour Field Day operation at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Annex at County Road 466 and Morse Boulevard. The sheriff loaned the club its emergency mobile command unit for the operation.
Throughout the United States and Canada, 35,000 amateur radio operators are linked up in the event that runs through 2 p.m. Sunday.
The motto of amateur radio operators is “When All Else Fails, Ham Radio Works.”
In a crisis when there are no phones or Internet, Ham radio operators will still be able to communicate around the world, said Villages Amateur Radio Club President Marty Brown.
In the hours before the start of Field Day, club members were out setting up tall antennae.
“Field Day gives us a chance each year to go through a full drill to make sure we have the equipment and manpower to do what we need to do in case of an emergency,” Brown said.
The club also makes it a fun event.
“It’s a picnic and a campout,” Brown said.
Although it is not a public event, those who are curious are welcome to stop by and ask questions, she added.
To learn more about the Villages Amateur Radio Club, follow the link below:
