The Radio Society of Tucson invites YOU to Field Day on June 28 & 29, 2008!

11:00 AM Saturday – 11:00 AM Sunday (MST)

Radio Ridge on COOL Mt. Lemmon (2.5 miles above the ski area) 9200 ft elevation & 20+ degrees cooler than Tucson!

On June 28rd and 29th, Amateur Radio ("ham") operators across the country will leave the comfort of their home-based radio "shacks" for a weekend of emergency preparedness activity called "Field Day." The event is designed to test operators' skills in setting up and operating radio communication equipment in situations where electrical power is limited or unavailable. The idea is to simulate the conditions that can occur during a hurricane, tornado or other emergency, including man-made disasters. The event is sponsored by ARRL -- the national association for Amateur Radio. The first Field Day took place in 1933.

During Field Day, operators set up radio transmitting and receiving equipment in local parks, at shopping malls or even in backyards, and get on the air using generators, battery or solar power to run their equipment. This type of exercise, along with the operators' dedication to public service, allows them to step in and help emergency officials and relief organizations when disaster strikes. Cell phones, the Internet and other communications technologies have yet to replace what Amateur Radio operators can do. They have a long track record of getting the message through when all other systems fail.

Field Day is a serious exercise, but it's also a lot of fun for participants. It's also the most popular "on-air" operating event each year. During Field Day, Amateur Radio operators attempt to make radio contact with as many participating stations as possible, simulating the sort of speedy on-air skills needed during an emergency. In past years, more than 30,000 Amateur Radio operators in the United States and Canada have taken part. Last year, for the first time, Field Day was opened up for participation by ham radio operators in virtually all of North and South America and the Caribbean.

DIRECTIONS FROM TANQUE VERDE RD
Turn LEFT off TANQUE VERDE on E CATALINA HWY - go 4.5 mi
Continue on E MT LEMMON (Catalina) HWY - go 24.6 mi
Arrive at SUMMERHAVEN, MT LEMMON
Bear right towards MT LEMMON SKI AREA 3.0 mi
Continue past MT LEMMON SKI AREA and continue on the minimum maintenance road 2.5 mi
Look for the pullout to your left and the amateur radio antennas!

Talk-in on the Mt. Lemmon repeater on 449.975 (-) Mhz PL 100.0 and on the K7RST DSTAR stack.

For more info or to volunteer for setup, operating or anything else, please contact
Randy Malick, KFØX at randy@kf0x.com or 520-247-9999.