CMARC Field Day 2009
Most of us have heard stories about normal communications being disrupted due to disastrous situations like floods and hurricanes. In times of disasters, ham radio operators are able to communicate using emergency equipment. They carry messages about the welfare of individuals, and they help to coordinate relief efforts. The Columbia-Montour Amateur Radio Club, a group of local hams, will be taking part in a simulated disaster relief activity this weekend. The activity is called Field Day, and the American Radio Relay League, the national ham radio organization, sponsors the activity. Many thousands of ham radio operators across the United States and Canada take part in the activity.
The local group of hams will be operating from the Kulp Church Grove near Slabtown, with set up of antennas to begin Friday, June 26. The actual operation will begin the next day, and continue until Sunday afternoon. The public is welcome to visit with the hams and learn about this fascinating hobby.
Here are directions to Kulp Church Grove:
From Bloomsburg, take PA Route 42 (S) through Catawissa. Just beyond the bridge over Catawissa Creek (near Tom’s Kitchen Restaurant), take the LEFT fork (continue on route 42). Three miles beyond the fork, watch for two “do not enter” signs on the left. At the “Do Not Enter” signs, turn left (using the correct right lane). You are now on Ideal Park Road. Continue on Ideal Park Road (which becomes Mill Road) for two and a half miles and turn left on Rarig Road. There is a covered bridge at the entrance to Rarig Road. Go through the covered bridge and continue on Rarig Road for two and a half miles. Rarig Road is a dirt road in one section, but it becomes paved. Rarig Road ends at Old Reading Road; turn right on Old Reading Road, and Kulp Church is a few hundred yards ahead on the left.
If you wish to use a GPS, here are the exact coordinates:
Latitude: 40.90527 degrees N
Longitude: 76.35282 degrees W
For more information, call Bob Foster at 570-752-5332.