BY SHARYN KOPF, with Linda L. Yoest, Champaign Logan Amateur Radio Club 1 secretary
“CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day. Whiskey, Eight, Foxtrot, Tango, Victor. Two Alpha, Ohio. Over.”
On a hill above the stalactite and stalagmite growing in caves beneath their feet, a group of local ham radio operators will once again gather to make contact with other hams across the country and around the world from noon Saturday, June 27, to noon Sunday, June 28.
For over three decades, Champaign Logan Amateur Radio Club (CLARC) has set up temporary communications equipment in a field at Ohio Caverns to participate in the annual American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day event.
“It’s a coded but not secret message,” Linda L. Yoest, CLARC secretary (N8KTZ), explained. “Millions like it are sent and received by ham operators via high-frequency radio signals traveling vast distances as they bounce off Earth’s ionosphere in their journeys around the globe.”
According to Yoest, ARRL calls this 24- hour event an emergency preparedness exercise, a picnic, a campout and an informal contest.
“That’s a fitting description of the site on the hill at Ohio Caverns, where gas generators hum and temporary antennas are set up in the field, strung between trees and mounted on vehicles,” Yoest explained. “Ham operators will once again make contact with stations hundreds, even thousands of miles away.”
Unfortunately, participation has dwindled over the past decade. Previously, multiple portable power sources, antennas and radios were set up and dozens of U.S. club members contacted nearly every state, along with Canada, Puerto Rico and South America, and even a ship at sea.
Scott/N8JYF uses his drone to string a temporary wire antenna between two trees in the field at Ohio Caverns. Also pictured are Robert/KE8KHK, left, and Al/N8HDR, center. (GARY KAUFFMAN PHOTO)
But although the amount of equipment is less and the members are fewer, CLARC plans to continue this annual tradition, which at its core is a test of readiness. Operating in a temporary outdoor setting, using off-grid power sources and portable antennas to contact other operators through voice or Morse code, amateur radio operators simulate the conditions they might face during natural disasters or large-scale emergencies.
“When cellphone towers are down and the internet goes dark, ham radio remains on the air,” Yoest stated. In addition, some members have FEMA certifications, weather spotter training, knowledge in passing radiograms using the National Traffic System and other specialized qualifications as volunteers with the Logan County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) communications team.
As part of that team, CLARC members:
• Were on hand in the EMA radio room — at assigned locations or operating from their own homes—before, during and after the March 2024 tornado at Indian Lake.
• They were stationed strategically around Logan County to help traffic flow during the total eclipse on April 8, 2024.
• They monitor, receive, forward and report local weather conditions to and from the U.S. National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio.
• And they take part in simulated emergency communication exercises coordinated by EMA, serving as a backup communication resource for first responders like fire, law enforcement, EMS and hospitals.
• Club members with handheld radios also provide communication for local events, such as last month’s Memorial Day parade, where they helped officials’ stage participants.
• Bike rides, marathons, 5K races and charity walks utilize ham radio operators as well. Positioned throughout the course, these volunteers provide real-time communication between organizers, aid stations, medical teams and public safety personnel to ensure all competitors are accounted for and their progress monitored from start to finish.
Bob King/W8FTV, previous club statutory agent, is the original holder of the club’s call sign, which the club took over after he passed away in 2011. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
CLARC maintains and operates the local two-meter repeater, W8FTV (147.000 MHz, PL 100), which hosts a weekly on-air gathering of licensed amateur radio operators every Tuesday evening at 8 p.m.
Their regular in-person meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Liberty Gathering Place in West Liberty.
“It’s not unusual for members to show up early to chat and order a meal or dessert before the meeting,” Yoest admitted. “All licensed hams, as well as anyone interested in learning more about amateur radio, are welcome to join us.”
Champaign Logan Amateur Radio Club greatly appreciates Ohio Caverns for allowing them the use of its field for the annual ARRL Field Day.
To find out more, visit their Facebook page at W8FTV or email the group at [email protected].
Firefighters of the Bellefontaine Fire Department steady an antenna as Robert/KE8KHK bolts it to the tower mast at the Logan County EMA building while other EMA Communications Team members watch from below during a May 30 EMA Work Day. (DRONE PHOTO BY GARY KAUFFMAN)
