Members of the Coffeyville Amateur Radio Club are recovering after a 24-hour radio marathon.
Over the weekend, Oakcrest Lodge in Coffeyville was turned into a communications headquarters for ARRL Field Day – an event sponsored by the National Association for Amateur Radio, but organized by local clubs across the country. Radios and antennas were set up at Pfister Park using emergency power, allowing local hams to talk with others around the country and even the globe. While members say field day serves as a relaxed way to introduce the public to the world of amateur radio, Club President John Vest, says this identical setup could be used in a communications emergency.
Edna resident Sabra Wilborn recently earned her amateur radio license after a club-sponsored study session. Wilborn says she got into ham radio to be able to stay in touch with family members who are also licensed.
This was Wilborn’s first Field Day and her first experience with “high frequency” ham bands as opposed to the handheld radio she’s used to using.
During this weekend’s event, club members contacted 43 states and 6 different countries including England, France, Slovenia, Spain and Australia with radios using between 5 and 100 watts. Many members of the public attended as well, including State Senator Virgil Peck and Coffeyville City Commissioner Bob York.
