© 2025 WGCU News
PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
WGCU
BBC World Service
WGCU
BBC World Service
Next Up: 5:00 AM Morning Edition
0:00
0:00
BBC World Service
WGCU
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Amateur Radio Club to host disaster preparation field day

Members of the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club Inc. of Lee County, FL, participated in the national amateur radio Field Day exercise. The Group were stationed at two locations, North Fort Myers Community Park and Tice Firehouse Station #201. Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of amateur radio.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of amateur radio.

Hurricane season has arrived, and with it, preparations for what to do if communications networks fail.

Licensed amateur, or ham, radio operators can serve as a volunteer backup communication system in emergencies when mainstream networks go down.

The Fort Myers

Ron Hendershot, ARCI member and Ham Radio operator for 45 years, raises a large antenna as the group sets up Saturday morning, June 22, 2024. Members of the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club Inc. of Lee County, FL, participated in the national amateur radio Field Day exercise. The Group were stationed at two locations, North Fort Myers Community Park and Tice Firehouse Station #201. Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of amateur radio.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
During the national amateur radio Field Day exercise in June 2024, Ron Hendershot, Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club Inc. of Lee County member and Ham Radio operator for 45 years, raises a large antenna as the group sets up. Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of amateur radio.

Club is hosting a 24-hour Field Day to demonstrate to the public how amateur radio can function under emergency-like conditions.

Key activities of the event include demonstrations of:

  1. Emergency Power Use: Radios will be powered by generators, batteries, or solar panels to simulate operations during power outages.
  2. Deployable Antennas: Operators will erect portable antennas to adapt to changing conditions and available frequencies.
  3. Making Contacts: Participants will aim to contact as many other stations as possible, earning points for using alternative power sources, operating outdoors, and incorporating modern technology.
  4. Public Education: Visitors can observe operations, ask questions, and even get on the air under the guidance of a licensed operator.

The event takes place at North Fort Myers Community Park, 2000 Recreation Park Way, and runs from noon on June 28 until noon on the 29th.

WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.