Web posted Sunday, June 24, 2001
By PAUL VAN KOLKEN
Cody Brow, 14, helped install ham radio equipment and antennae at the Ottawa
County Fairgrounds Saturday as part of the American Radio Relay League's Field
Day.
"I hope to talk with some one in Russia," said the Allendale Middle
School student.
Brow and scores of other members of the Holland Amateur Radio operators club
began a 24-hour worldwide communications event at 2 p.m., hoping to contact
other hams around the world as part of the emergency communications test.
Operators will practice communications skills under primitive conditions with
generator and battery/solar powered equipment and portable antennae.
The club volunteers provide communications to the Ottawa County Sheriff's
Department and the Red Cross in times of disasters, and for Tulip Time and
various bike and running races, Underwood said.
During severe weather alerts, members staff the Emergency Operations Center.
Brow, one of the youngest members of the club, became interested in ham radio
as he helped a neighbor and teacher work with weather balloon launches.
"Talking with people by radio is more interesting that using the
Internet," Brow explained. "Radio is more down to earth and you can
build the equipment by yourself. You shop around for the best deals," Brow
said.
David Posthuma, 37, of Holland, was setting up his low power transmitter in
the sun for his solar/battery powered rig.
He switched to low power radios for the challenge it provided.
"Antenna installation is more critical for the low power. You need good
antennae and good operating skills," Posthuma explained.
Using a half watt of battery power, Posthuma said he was able to talk with a
ham operator in Brazil.
"That's using about as much power as a flashlight," he said, adding
that the voice communication on the low power was an extraordinary experience.
Normal radios using fossil-fuel generators operate on as much as 10 watts.
Ken Groom, 48, who comes from South Africa, uses satellite technology with
his ham radio.
"I had a running talk with a Russian cosmonaut on the space station MIR
when it was still orbiting," Groom said.
"He spoke limited English but much better than my Russian," Groom
joked.
Solar/battery power and satellite uses are new technology this year for the
Holland club.
"It's a faster set-up. In 20 minutes we can have the solar station on
the air," Underwood explained.
"Most of that time is in rigging the antennae," he added.
Staff writer
All contents Copyright © 2001 Morris Digital Works and The
Holland Sentinel.
Reprinted with permission from the Holland Sentinel.