What’s the buzz? It’s San Juan County’s ‘hams’ annual Field Day event, Saturday; broadcasts begin at 11 a.m.

When a tornado knocks out the normal lines of communications, like telephones, television and email, how does word about it get out?

Or in the event of a large-scale natural disaster, like an earthquake, flood or wildfire, how do bulletins from ground-zero get broadcast when the primary lines of communication are cut?

Well, that’s often the point at which amateur radio operators, commonly referred to as “hams”, step in. Numbering about two million worldwide, according to some estimates, amateur radio operators can be the last line defense in providing emergency broadcasts when Mother Nature is up to no good.

And San Juan County has “hams” of its own. Officially known as the San Juan County Amateur Radio Society, they are among the two million amateur radio operators worldwide, according to some estimates, that can serve as the last line of of defense in transmitting emergency broadcasts when Mother Nature is up to no good.

Using licensed frequencies dedicated for private, non-commercial and recreational use, hams are restricted to communicating with one another or with emergence serves agencies, or perhaps in place of, in the event of a natural or man-made disaster knocks out power sources that run traditional communication systems.

Amateur radio operators here in the islands consistently provide support for events that cover large distances, such as the annual San Juan Island Marathon and the 8.8K Loop run.

Get a first-hand look at San Juan County’s hams at work and learn more about amateur radio at the group’s annual Field Day event this Saturday, at the historic naval compass station on Cattle Point Road (near Cape San Juan). Set up begins at 10 a.m. and the hams are expected to be on the air from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or later, weather permitting.

For more info about Saturday’s Field Day, or amateur radio, contact SJC Amateur Radio Society President Bryan Hoyer, at KG6GEU@arrl.net.