Moreno Valley Amateur Radio Association Gears up for Emergency Exercise

Members of the Moreno Valley Amateur Radio Association will participate in the nationwide amateur radio emergency preparedness, Field Day exercise, June 27 and 28 at Lake Perris SRA. Sponsored by the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL), this event is held annually and provides amateur radio operators (commonly nicknamed ‘Hams’) the opportunity to practice their skills under simulated emergency operating conditions. This will be the 30th year the Moreno Valley club has participated in Field Day activities, according to David Belcher, President of the Moreno Valley Amateur Radio Association. Belcher emphasized that the goal is not only to make as many contacts possible, but also to increase public awareness. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, the public is invited to attend the many planned events including demonstrations of radio direction finding, morse code skills, message handling via digital radio, and meet and greet with invited local government representatives and emergency management coordinators. Members will operate on multiple amateur radio bands and frequencies all utilizing multiple emergency power systems. The 24-hour operational period begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27 and ends at 11 a.m. on Sunday June 28. Members of the Northwest Riverside County Amateur Radio Emergency Service from Riverside, Moreno Valley, Perris, Hemet and Nuevo will also be participating. The event venue will be at Lake Perris lot 10. Regular park entry fees will apply. For membership or field day information please call message phone 951-977-3503 or www.mvaranet.org.