Amateur radio operators in the area will be joining others in a Parkland Amateur Radio Club ham festival on August 12.
Bob Drayer of Sturgis and Jerry Lisitza, Hein Bertram and Grant See, all of Preeceville, will be traveling to Yorkton to share in the fun day.
Trade shows, flea markets and many displays will available that day. Drayer and Bertram will be providing volunteer ham radio examinations for individuals to attain a licence. The duo is accredited by Industry Canada to be volunteer examiners.
"There will be operators from across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and North and South Dakota in attendance at the festival," said Drayer.
Amateur radio came into being after radio waves (proved to exist by Heinrich Rudolf Hertz in 1888) were adapted into a communication system in the 1890s by the Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi.
"Amateur radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together," said Drayer.
People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones, he said. “It's fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.
"I am pleased to say that I was the second one to talk to Dr. Owen Gerriott, who was the first ham operator in space in the early 1980s.”
Drayer got involved as a amateur ham radio operator in 1975 and his first radio was from a B29 bomber. His hobby has turned into a passion that allows him to speak with others across the world, sharing a common interest.
Although amateur radio operators get involved for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles, and pass an examination for the FCC license to operate on radio frequencies known as the Amateur Bands, he explained. These bands are radio frequencies allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use by ham radio operators.
They operate below and above AM band and above FM bands.
"You can communicate from the top of a mountain, your home or behind the wheel of your car, all without relying on the Internet or a cell phone network, he said. “You can take radio wherever you go. In times of disaster, when regular communications channels fail, hams can swing into action assisting emergency communications efforts and working with public service agencies.”
"You can communicate with other hams using your voice and a microphone, interface a radio with your computer or tablet to send data, faxes, text, images or Morse code,” said Drayer.
The Parkland Amateur Radio Club practices every Monday night. Members plan active procedures in case of an emergency and practice emergency scenarios in a professional way.
