The Amateur Radio Emergency Service will join with other Ham operators across the United States to demonstrate its communications capabilities and show off new innovations in equipment and technology at the annual ARES/RACES Field Day.

Field day is a time Ham operators make an effort to work with as many other stations as they can within a 24-hour period and is the most popular on-the-air operating event in amateur radio.

Tens of thousands of operators will gather for public demonstrations in parking lots and other facilities in other cities and communities as an event for education and public relations.

Although it is a hobby, operators are embracing digital technology; radioteletype (RTTY), a telecommunications system consisting of two or more tele-printers using radio as the transmission medium.

Phone operation, the largest section of the hobby, has new frontiers in digital voice, voice-over Internet protocol and Internet radio linking.

The field day has something for the old timer and the newcomer in a chance to share and teach the broad range of modes and technologies available to amateur radio operators.

Amateur radio operators support the local area with two-way radio communications in emergencies and during public service events.

Seldom seen but always there, operators monitor local events such as the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup, an annual 120-mile foot race where 200 or more teams of 10 runners each and their support groups may need assistance.

They also support the annual "Pony Express" trail ride by getting a trailer to participants if they need to transport a horse or life-support if a rider becomes ill or injured.

The Fall Festival Parade benefits from the presence of ARES too. Members help setup monitoring stations and keep track of the parade participants in case of any problems or the possibility emergency equipment may have to go through the parade.

The organization has sponsored food drives at area grocery stores to help keep the food banks full. It also distributes information on disaster preparedness.

The field day will be from noon June 27 through noon June 28 at the office, 1510 Siri Lane.

For further information contact Dick Grady, 751-5242.