Hams Gear Up to Set Long Distance Contact Records and Practice Emergency Communication Skills on June 23, 2001

Date: June 19, 2001
Contact: John Dell'Osso, 415-464-5135

Amateur Radio operators from the West Marin Amateur Radio Society will work around the clock this weekend to set up field radio communication stations, get on the air, and contact thousands of other operators in the U.S. and Canada as part of the American Radio Relay League’s Field Day.

According to Gus Kovats of the local West Marin radio club, "Field Day is a way for hams to get outdoors and have fun under some difficult conditions. It’s also a chance to fine-tune emergency communication skills. We use battery power and set up antennas in the field. The idea is to put together a self-sufficient, working station quickly and begin making contacts."

Operations will take place at the site of the "Wireless Giant of the Pacific," the former RCA Coast Station KPH, Point Reyes within the north district Point Reyes National Seashore. Among the club members who will be taking part in the two-day event are former employees of RCA-KPH, Gus Kovats, Dick Flint, and Phil Diehl.

Cosponsored by Point Reyes National Seashore, Field Day operations will begin at 11:00 am Saturday, June 23. The public is invited. For more information, contact Paul Phelps at [phone].

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