County “Radio HAMS” Participate in National Event June 28-29

COURT HOUSE – Cape May County’s “HAMS”, a volunteer group working with the Office of Emergency Management, will join with thousands of Amateur Radio operators who will be showing off their emergency capabilities on June 28 and 29.
Director Thornton said, “The news is full of reports of HAM radio operators providing critical communications during unexpected emergencies in towns across America including winter storms, tornadoes and other events. It is no different here in Cape May County where the HAM community provides us with much needed support during emergencies.”
The Amateur Radio Community of Cape May County is a communications back-up for emergencies in the County. Martin Pagliughi, Emergency Management Coordinator for Cape May County added, “The radios are portable and can be used at any location. In Cape May County there are approximately a hundred volunteers in the HAM Radio Community that are available to help when emergencies occur”.
June 28 and June 29, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with Cape May County’s HAM radio operators and see for themselves what Amateur Radio Service is about. Showing the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code, HAMS from across the United States will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities.
More than 35,000 amateur radio operators across the country participate in annual “Field Day,” sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. Using only emergency power supplies, HAM operators will construct emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools and backyards around the country.
Also, the Field Day Operation includes a contest for the most radio contacts in a 24-hour span using voice communications and Morse code. Cape May County HAMS will be competing in this contest.
In Cape May County, the event will be held at the 4-H Fair Grounds located at 355 Court House-South Dennis Road from 1 p.m. on June 28 until 1 p.m. on June 29. The Cape May County Emergency Management Command Center will be on hand and at least eight radio stations will be set up.
The event is open to the public and all are welcome to come and see what HAM Radio is all about.
For more information, please call Ed Taylor at 463-6570.