Alex Discovers Amateur Radio

6 Operating in the countryside away from mains electricity is not just fun but good practice for operation during an emergency. They use portable generators, solar panels, wind power; and large batteries like car batteries to supply their own electricity. It sounds like fun! It is, but it’s hard work too setting up a complete Radio Station and everything else that’s needed. No - not usually. Many aerials - antennas as Radio Amateurs often call them - are as easy to set up as running a long wire to a tree or pole. Are such big masts always needed? Sometimes antennas are fastened high up on poles but for some purposes they are hand held on the ground. So can we go and see what’s going on over there today? It looks different to the JOTA day. That’s because today is a National Field Day . # Radio Amateurs like it when people ask questions about their hobby. Let’s wander over.. # National Field Day takes place over the first weekend in June and is a CW (Morse Code) event. A SSB (voice) Field Day is held during the first weekend in September and a VHF Field Day in July. These, and lots of other special events and contests throughout the year, help develop expertise such as: operator technique; antenna design, construction, and erection; generator maintenance; and, increasingly, computer expertise linked to radio communication.