Amateur radio operators — many of whom participated in emergency radio communications during last week's severe weather — will take part in a national emergency communications preparedness exercise during the coming weekend.
The purpose of the event is to practice and prove hams are able to send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, the Internet or any other infrastructure that might be compromised in a crisis, according to a news release.
The Nixa Amateur Radio Club will be operating in Nixa’s Fountain Plaza, featuring the Missouri Department of Public Safety mobile command center from Jefferson City. Alltel will showcase and provide a 70-foot mobile antenna system.
At Lake Springfield, the Springfield Amateur Radio Club will set up operation utilizing emergency battery, generator and solar power, plus innovative antenna systems for transmission and receiving.
Both field-day events run from noon Saturday to noon Sunday.
Local residents are encouraged to meet and talk with ham radio operators and see for themselves what amateur radio service is all about.
