HAM RADIO BUFFS SPEND DAY SWAPPING SIGNALS.Byline: Daily News Ham radio See ham. operators across America kicked off the two-day Amateur Radio Relay League A relay league is a chain of message forwarding stations in a system of optical telegraphs, radio telegraph stations, or riding couriers. An interesting description of these early 19th century methods and its evolution into the electrical telegraph networks of the mid and Field Day on Saturday, contacting other radio amateurs throughout the world in a test of their ability to handle emergency communications. They used self-sufficient, short-wave radio stations with temporary antennas and emergency power from generators, batteries and solar cells in the event that is part contest, part drill and partly a fun-filled social get-together. ``This is my hobby,'' said John Beckers, president of the Simi Settlers Amateur Radio Club at one of the Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, Field Day locations. ``But when you can turn your hobby into something that helps other people, it's a benefit.'' The Simi Settlers provided emergency assistance to local authorities after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake The Northridge earthquake occurred on January 17, 1994 at 4:31 AM Pacific Standard Time in the city of Los Angeles, California. The earthquake had a "strong" moment magnitude of 6. , when telephone lines were interrupted, and during the 1993 fires in Malibu. ``We're here to have fun as a club,'' said Sue Berkhout. ``But we're also here to show that we're serious about helping the community.'' The Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. club has members from all over the community. ``We're from all walks of life,'' said Diane Belcher, the Simi Settlers' public information officer. ``We have doctors that belong to the club, electricians, retired telephone employees - we want people to understand that our hobby won't interfere with their hobby.'' Along with Belcher and Berkhout, Jerry Crabtree, a seven-year club member and the emergency coordinator for the Simi Settlers, also was on hand, helping to set up his ``portable packet'' radio operation system. ``My dad was a ham,'' Crabtree said. ``He got me started and now I use his call sign.'' The Simi Settlers Amateur Radio Club was organized in 1976 and has made contact with more than 3,000 other stations across the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Canada. Members of the club say it is not uncommon to make contact with stations as far away as Germany or Costa Rica Costa Rica (kŏs`tə rē`kə), officially Republic of Costa Rica, republic (2005 est. pop. 4,016,000), 19,575 sq mi (50,700 sq km), Central America. , depending on the strength of the signal being transmitted. In Saugus on Saturday, Jim Molenda used a satellite above the Pacific Ocean west of South America South America, fourth largest continent (1991 est. pop. 299,150,000), c.6,880,000 sq mi (17,819,000 sq km), the southern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. to communicate with fellow radio enthusiasts. ``I'm talking I'm Talking was a 1980s Australian funk-pop rock band, noted for launching vocalist Kate Ceberano. History After the break-up of the Melbourne-based experimental funk band Essendon Airport in 1983, members Robert Goodge (guitar), Ian Cox (saxophone) and Barbara Hogarth to you here from beautiful Santa Clarita in sunny California,'' said Molenda, after making contact with an Ohio man. ``Good signal, Shawn. You're coming in clear.'' On the other end, Shawn told Molenda that he was boating alone in the Great Lakes and because of bad weather was worried that lightning was going to strike his antenna. The two talked for about three minutes, exchanging names and call signs and making small talk before signing off. ``I appreciate the contact, Shawn,'' Molenda said. In Lancaster, the Antelope Valley Radio Club gathered at Lancaster City Park to test their equipment and demonstrate their skills. As part of the two-day annual field day, operators planned to work around the clock until noon today. ``It's a good opportunity for us to get together,'' said Jim Osmet, president of the Santa Clarita Amateur Radio Club. ``It allows us to practice our emergency communications technique.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1--2) Randy Streder works a radio in Simi Valley on Saturday while chatting with someone near Los Angeles International Airport “LAX” redirects here. For other uses, see LAX (disambiguation). “KLAX” redirects here. For other uses, see KLAX (disambiguation). Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX, FAA LID: LAX . Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News |
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