Submitted story:
Are you prepared for a major disaster in Southern California? What if we
had an earthquake, major fire, similar disaster or more? What if cellular towers were knocked out?
FCC licensed radio amateur operators in Laguna Beach are here to answer that “what if”.
On Saturday, June 22 and Sunday 23, the Laguna Beach Emergency Communications Team (LBECT) will participate in a nationwide amateur radio emergency training exercise called “Field Day”; a 24 hour exercise, said to be the oldest emergency communications drill in the world and with the largest participation.
LBECT is a group of amateur radio operators with diverse interests, which was reconstituted in 1998, from a previous group in 1970's and designated officially by the City Council action in 2001.
This is LBECT's 15th Anniversary.
There are currently in Laguna Beach approximately 105 licensed amateur many of whom volunteer in providing communications with City or County emergency groups including CERTS. Recently, several of our members were active in a Countywide communications drill operated by the Orange County Sheriff's Department Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES). And, over the years LBECT has supported the Pacific Coast Triathlon, Rotary Club's Criterion Bicycle Race, Bluebird Canyon Slide, on duty during 9/11, provided assistance at Santiago Canyon and San Diego Fires, the Annual Patriot's Day Parade and SchoolPower events.
During Field Day, over 35,000 amateur (ham) radio operators from the US and Canada will hone their emergency communications skills over a 24 hour period with the goal of demonstrating 'off the grid' solar sources powering completely independent radio communications systems.
LBECT will set-up our radio stations and antennas from 2PM until sundown on Friday June21 and be 'on the air' from June 22 from 11 AM to Sunday, June 23 at 11 AM. Location along Fire Road ajacent to Moulton Meadows Park and Aliso and Woods Canyon Park.
Come out, visit the site, see what “Field Day” is all about and celebrate LBECT’s 15th year! The public and the news media are invited to observe and even participate on the air in this radio exercise.
For more information, contact:
John Kountz, Chief Radio Officer, LBECT
949-494-8783
john@t6ee.com
About Amateur Radio:
Ham radio is an interesting public service as well as an educational technical hobby. Whether it’s contacting someone across the street or across the globe, or even outer space, ham radio operators are ready to supply reliable communications when normal lines fail.
Ham operators range from ordinary citizens to astronauts and athletes to film stars and musicians. There are now 700,000 licensed hams in the United States. More information concerning this rewarding and civic service oriented activity is available via the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) http://www.arrl.org.
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