Amateur Radio operators will work ‘round the clock this weekend to set up field radio communication stations, get on the air, and contact thousands of other operators in the US and Canada as part of participation in the American Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day.

The Durant Amateur radio operators Field Day operations will be at the Carl Albert Park across from the swimming pool. Set up begins at about 9 a.m. and operations begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The public is invited.

According to the Durant Amateur Repeater Association, which is the area club, Field Day is the annual ‘shakedown run” for the ARRL’s National Field Organization. Field Day is a way for hams to get outdoors and have fun under some difficult conditions. But it is also a chance to fine-tune emergency communication skills. They use generators and battery power, and set up antennas in the field. The idea is to put together a self-sufficient, working station quickly and begin making contacts.

The ARRL Field Organization has been effective in establishing emergency communications nets during floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and other major disasters. Members of formal emergency organizations such as the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the Radio Amateur Communication Emergency Services (RACES) regularly participate. The League estimates that more than 35,000 hams participate in Field Day every year.