Volusia County ARES hosts Winter Field Day

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Volusia County ARES hosts Winter Field Day

Special to the Beacon

February 6, 2025

Volusia County ARES hosts Winter Field Day — BEACON PHOTOS/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN; SIGNAL INCOMING — Above, ARES Emergency Coordinator Jim Jaeger (KO4KUS) practices making contacts with people all over the country with his high-frequency amateur radio. Jaeger told The Beacon he was able to make contact with other participants of the event in North Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Below, up in the bright blue sky, this 40-meter antenna is aiming toward Ohio. It ran between 7 MHZ and 14 MHZ, ARES member Jeff Matthews (KG4DHZ) told The Beacon.

BY SARA WARD

The Volusia County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Daytona Beach Amateur Radio Association held Winter Field Day 11am Jan. 25 through 5pm Jan. 26, off of W. Euclid Ave. in Deland. Winter Field Day is a nationwide annual event that helps ham radio operators prepare their equipment for emergency situations and practice responding to unfavorable conditions.

This volunteer group steps in when other communication systems fail. For example, Volusia County ARES members provided emergency communications during Hurricane Milton.

This free event invited the public to learn about the role of ham radio in emergencies and its broader applications.

LOOK, ANTENNA — Carl Clauson (KK4ZYZ) holds his antenna that is typically used for a “fox hunt.” A fox hunt is a competition where the antenna must be used to locate a hidden radio transmitter

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON — From left, son Henry Nambar (KQ4ZXV) and dad Laurence Nambar (KR4AAI) adjust the frequency of their handie-talkie radios. Henry received his call sign a day before his father, which made him one of the last in the KQ series, while Laurence became one of the first in the KR series, ARES member Gary Konecky told The Beacon.

What is a call sign?

In order to officially utilize a radio, the transmitter must first pass the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) exam. Once that is completed, the operator will warrant a “call sign” from the FCC that is issued sequentially. Call signs operate as a unique identifier which allows others to recognize and communicate with one another. Call numbers participated include:

Jeff Matthews- KG4DHZ

Jim Jaeger- KO4KUS

Todd Johnson- KN4TG4

Henry Namber- KQ4ZXV

Laurence Namber- KR4AAI

Grace Lea- KE3G

Volusia County ARES hosts Winter Field Day

What is a call sign?

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