Washington, Fayette enthusiasts participating in amateur radio Field Day
The Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) is having its annual Field Day at locations across the country Saturday and Sunday, and members from Washington and Fayette counties are participating.
Washington Amateur Communications, an affiliate of ARRL that includes ham radio enthusiasts in Washington County, will be in Mingo Creek County Park in Finleyville starting at 2 p.m. Saturday and remain there through 2 p.m. Sunday.
They will be adjacent to the Mingo Park Observatory and demonstrate how ham radio works, the science behind it and how it can be important in emergencies.
In Fayette County, the Uniontown Amateur Radio Club will be participating in Field Day on its club grounds at 433 Old Pittsburgh Road, also from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday. Operators will set up temporary stations powered by generators, batteries and solar energy.
Andrew Horvath, the club’s president, said, “It’s exciting when you can be in Fayette County and speak with someone thousands of miles away in Europe or Asia directly through your radios.”
The Amateur Radio Relay League has its Field Day on the fourth weekend of June every year. It’s estimated that a little more than 30,000 people participate. Events are also set to happen in Elizabeth, Oakdale and in the Beaver County community of Baden.
For information on the Amateur Radio Relay League’s Field Day, go online to aarl.org.