Amateur Radio Operators Prepare for Emergencies in Granby

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By CBS 3 Springfield

Story Published: Jun 27, 2009 at 6:05 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 27, 2009 at 6:05 PM EST

Dozens of amateur radio operators tuned in for the annual Hampden County Radio Association Field Day in Granby.

The 24-hour event promotes emergency communications preparedness.

Thousands of people across the country set up temporary communications centers and then they all take to the air at the same time.

The event is practice for a national disaster drill.

It simulates a massive emergency, like Hurricane Katrina, that puts conventional forms of communication out of commission.

"In the event of an actual emergency, we can get antennas and towers up as quickly as possible and have auxiliary communications in the event civil communications go down," said event organizer Richard Stewart.

The official event kicked off on Saturday at 2pm and it goes until 2pm Sunday.

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 8:09 PM Bill Scagliarini wrote ...

Thank you for covering the ham radio field day. I understand you are the only local network that would air such an important event.you are now my station of choice. Thanks again Bill

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