Brown County’s Ham Radio Operators are preparing for the annual “Field Day” event sanctioned by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

“Field Day is a chance for Hams across the country to strut our stuff,” Brownwood Amateur Radio Club (BARC) President Rich Dugger said.  “We get together and operate continuously for twenty-four hours, beginning at 1:00 P.M. Saturday June 28th, and runs through Sunday afternoon at 1:00 P.M.  Our operators make as many contacts as possible using voice, digital, and even by the old fashioned Morse code. Each contact gives us points toward national recognition.”

All of the lower 48 states participate, as well as Alaska and Hawaii.

BARC Public Relations Operator Mike Isbell said “It’s all about gathering points for the final score. Obviously the more contacts we make, the more points we get.  We get additional points if the local elected officials stop by.  We’re inviting District Judge Steve Ellis, Sheriff Bobby Grubbs, Judge Frank Griffin, Judge Ray West, all four Brown County Justices of the Peace, County Commissioners and Constables.  District 60 Texas State Representative Jim Keffer from Eastland is also invited.  Ideally, we would love to get pictures of some of our elected officials operating the G-O-T-A station.”

Dugger explained that the G-O-T-A station is the club’s “Get On The Air” station that allows non-licensed individuals to make a contacts via Ham radio.  Dugger added, “The annual Field Day is actually a test of emergency preparedness, where our local hams provide their own transmitting and receiving equipment, antennas, electrical power with generators and solar panels, and in some cases –wind power.”

The public is invited to participate in the BARC Field Day event. It is tentatively scheduled at the American Legion Post building at Memorial Park, across from the Brownwood Regional Medical Center, Saturday and Sunday, June 28th–29th.

Pictured above:  Rich and Cindy Dugger of Early operating a ham station at Bangs Mayfest 2013.