Grimes County Amateur Radio Group Participates in Field Day
Navasota Police Officer Mark Butler and Navasota Interim Police Chief Mike Mize show off the newly received medicine disposal receptacle that was awarded to the department through the CVS/Pharmacy's Medication Disposal for Safer Communities program. Court
Grimes County Amateur Radio Group, GCARG, call sign KG5PLK, participated in Field Day at VFW Post 4006 Saturday, June 25. The event is an annual exercise held by amateur radio operators, hams, in the U.S. and Canada on the fourth full weekend in June. Its purpose is to improve skills and test equipment needed for communication without relying on normal infrastructure such as cell towers, the internet or commercial power.
A generator and batteries supplied power for radio equipment and for fans needed outside in near triple-digit temperatures. Several types of antennas were used including: Those a few inches long found on handheld radios; About 50 feet of paracord attached to a wire thrown over a tree branch with a fishing weight; A telescoping 40 feet antenna attached to a pickup truck and 100 feet of cable; A magnetic mount antenna seen on vehicles and a cookie sheet which works with a magnetic mount antenna if no vehicle is available. This method also works indoors and with other suitable metal objects.
Using several radio types and frequencies, GCARG members made contacts with surrounding counties, California, Indiana and Slovenia in Europe, more than 5, 600 miles away. Also, thanks to the generosity of Waller resident Stan Brown, GCARG members got the opportunity to tinker with vintage equipment. The donated items had belonged to Brown’s father, Kermit Brown, KA6THA, a silent key. A silent key is a ham who has passed away.
The ham radio hobby is open to all ages. More information is at gcarg.org.