SBARC Field Day

In the hours and days following Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio was the ONLY way for people of some Gulf Coast states to communicate with the outside world. While a hurricane isn't likely in New Mexico, we are just as vulnerable to other kinds of devastating natural disasters. If such an event occurred here, how would emergency responders in Ruidoso or Lincoln County call for help when normal communications fail?

Field Day is a demonstration of emergency communications capabilities and emergency preparedness by local volunteer Amateur Radio operators. SBARC invites the public to visit us at Field Day to see first-hand how volunteer amateur radio communicators can provide a valuable role in times of emergencies or natural disasters.

Our demonstration will feature three fully operational amateur radio stations making live on-the-air contacts without the benefit of any public infrastructure systems (thus simulating emergency conditions). As a special attraction, one station will be reserved for visitors to experience making actual long-distance radio contacts themselves (with a licensed operator present). The thrill of talking to stations hundreds or thousands of miles away over the air is not to be missed!