Immediate Release

Contact

June 19, 2002

Frannie Edwards-Winslow
(408) 277-4595

Local HAM Radio Operators Prepare for Disaster

Worldwide Field Day Exercise Prepares Group to Assist Community

San José, CA --- More than two dozen volunteer amateur radio operators will gather at the Berryessa Community Center park in San José this weekend, June 22nd and 23rd, to practice the radio contact skills they would put to use in the event of a disaster. The San José RACES (Radio Amateurs in Civil Emergency Service) group will use a variety of amateur radios, a forest of antennas, and alternative power - including bicycle generated and solar power - in an effort to reach other HAMS around the world. This exercise will prepare them to staff the radio room in the Emergency Operations Center for the City of San José during a local emergency, such as a flood or an earthquake.

"Each year, the group donates thousands of hours to the City by staffing a variety of exercises and actual emergency events," said Frannie Edwards-Winslow, Director of Emergency Preparedness for the City of San José. "During the Boulder fire in 2000, RACES members provided vital communications links between the City's Emergency Operations Center and affected areas of the community. In previous years, the group has also served as a critical link to American Red Cross shelters during flooding."

A World War II communications vehicle, radios on three bands, a low power radio van, and 24-hour operations on emergency power will highlight the 2002 Field Day in San José. Information about amateur radio as a hobby, San José's RACES as a volunteer opportunity, and emergency preparedness tips for earthquakes as well as this summer's anticipated hot weather will be available at the Field Day radio demonstration area.

Amateur radio operators who are members of San José's RACES group will set up antennas, radio gear and a public information table in the Berryessa Community Center from Saturday noon through Sunday noon, June 22 through 23. Members of the public are encouraged to stop by to become better acquainted with amateur radio and the services provided to the residents of San José.

Community members will be led to the event through the use of low-band radio announcements. Signs along Capital Expressway and Berryessa Road will invite people to tune to the San José low band station, 1340 AM, for directions to the Berryessa Community Center and park, and information about Field Day events.

Field Day is a worldwide event, sponsored by the American Radio Relay League. About 35,000 ham operators annually participate in communities throughout the world. Last year, San José's amateur radio operators made contacts in Europe, Japan, Mexico and Australia, as well as throughout the United States.

The 2002 RACES Field Day event in San José is free and open to the public.