-
The Highland Lakes Amateur Radio Club, with member Tom Hauer pictured here, hosted a field day last year on the grounds of the YMCA in Burnet. This year, their event will be at Inks Lake State Park. File photo
The Highland Lakes Amateur Radio Club plans to host its annual Field Day June 24-25 in Burnet at Inks Lake State Park.
“It is an event for everybody already involved and for anybody who may want to get involved with ham radio,” says local club member Dan Garcia. “It is a way for our club to contact other clubs and to meet new people.”
Many HLARC members plan to operate their amateur radio communication equipment from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Inks Lake near 3630 Park Road 4 West, Garcia says.
Everybody is invited to meet club members and witness their radio endeavors at no charge during both days, he adds. “It will give us a chance to demonstrate the capabilities of amateur radio,” Garcia says. “People are welcome to drop by. We would be happy to talk to anybody about it.”
HLARC includes more than 90 members, many of whom may be identified by a combination of letters and numbers known as a call sign, including club officers Al Chitwood (KG5BF), Chris Dietz (KI5UYD), Lee Kinard (N5AVY), Toni Hauer (W5CRX) and Garcia (N5EER).
HLARC is affiliated with The American Radio Relay League, which includes more than 170,000 members across the nation from every walk of life.
Amateur radio enthusiasts sprouted during the early 20th century, when many expert, more sophisticated communicators dubbed them “hams” because their homemade gear seemed too basic, not especially complex.
However, during the past 120 years, ham radio operators have proven their worth, to the point where firefighters, police and other first responders are happy for their assistance during brush fires, flash floods, power failures and other emergencies.
Certainly, before amateur radio operators can receive and transmit signals, they must apply for a license issued by the Federal Communication Commission, Garcia says.
“All ages can enjoy the hobby,” he adds.
HLARC meets 6 p.m. the last Friday of each month at Marble Falls Emergency Medical Services, 609 Industrial Boulevard.
Also, club members meet informally 7:30 a.m. Mondays in Marble Falls at the Super Taco restaurant, 2200 U.S. 281 north.
“You don’t have to be a member to attend,” Garcia says.
Visit hlcar.org or e-mail info@HLARC.org for more information.