NWS Birmingham meteorologists visited several amateur radio sites across Central Alabama on Saturday, June 24th to participate in the annual American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day. The purpose of the ARRL Field Day is to demonstrate the effectiveness of amateur radio during emergency situations. On Field Day, local amateur radio clubs set up at off-site locations such as parks, schools, or shopping centers to simulate a real emergency situation. This event was held between 1800 UTC on June 24th through 1800 UTC on June 25th for all amateur radio operators across the country.
When severe weather strikes, amateur radio operators join forces with the National Weather Service to obtain real-time storm reports. Many times, amateur radio operators become the eyes and ears during severe weather. With their ham radios, they can contact the National Weather Service directly or their local law enforcement to relay severe weather they may have witnessed. Together, Central Alabama amateur radio operators and the National Weather Service in Birmingham strive to protect lives and property.
Walker County Sheriff John Tirey contacts other ham radio operators across the country during Field Day. |
Robert Williams, president-elect of the Walker County Amateur Radio Club, makes a new ham radio contact in Germany. Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
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Pictured here are members of the Walker County Amateur Radio Club and National Weather Service meteorologists Michael Scotten (second from right) and Kristin Scotten (far right). |
Ham Radio Operator Dale from St. Clair County makes several contacts across the Southeastern United States. |
Members of the St. Clair County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Group teach National Weather Service Meteorologist, Michael Scotten (middle), the ropes on how to contact other ham radio operators during Field Day festivities. |
Meteorologist Michael Scotten (far right) learns about the Calhoun County Emergency Radio Club during Field Day. |
Two members of the Calhoun County Emergency Radio Club stationed at Germania Springs Park in Jacksonville participate in Field Day. |
The Calhoun County Amateur Radio Association is pictured here with meteorologist Michael Scotten (far right). This group held Field Day activities at Dr. Mike Tucker Park in Weaver. |
Members of the Lee County Amateur Radio Club work non-stop to see how many contacts they can reach in just 24 hours during Field Day activities. |
National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) Jason B. Wright (left) discusses weather topics with Philip L. Chaney, Assistant Professor of Geography at Auburn University, during the Lee County Amateur Radio Field Day. |
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