VTARA

BLACKSBURG, Va., June 25, 2008 -- The Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association will be demonstrating amateur "ham" radio to the public this weekend as part of a national Field Day exercise. The event will be held on campus from 2:00 PM this Saturday, June 28, through 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 29. The event is free and open to the public. Come learn about all of the exciting things that amateur radio operators do for fun and to serve the community, and have a chance to "Get On The Air!"

Field Day is an operating event designed to test emergency preparedness and operating skill in less-than-optimal conditions.
During Field Day, operators set up in local parks, at shopping malls, or even in their own backyards, and get on the air using generators or battery power. Field Day was designed to test operators' abilities to set up and operate portable stations under emergency conditions such as the loss of electricity. During the weekend, radio operators try to contact as many other Field Day stations as possible throughout North America and around the world. More than 35,000 Amateur Radio operators across the country and Canada participated in last year's event.

The event will be held at the gazebo on the south side of the Duck Pond for a 24 hour period beginning at 2:00 PM Saturday. Parking is available off of Duck Pond Drive or West Campus Drive. Please contact Ben Mills (N4CV) for more information at (540) 808-2805 or blmills@vt.edu. Field Day is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for Amateur Radio.

The Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association (VTARA) has served the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg communities with Emergency and Public Service Communications for several decades. Activities include SKYWARN (severe weather observation), support for Poverty Creek Trail events, and logistics for the Blacksburg Christmas Parade and VT Homecoming Parade. They maintain a complete amateur radio station in Squires Student Center, and provide activities throughout the year. The organization meets bi-weekly during the school year, and membership is open to the public. Information is available at www.vtara.org.vt.edu or www.arrl.org.