Radio operators reach out to others

While most were flocking to Evers Park and Expedition Island Saturday afternoon for the Flaming Gorge Days festivities, a small, dedicated group of men were stationed at Collier Park working to contact as many people as they could.

Stationed near a portable radio antennae and talking to whomever they could make contact with, many would likely overlook the radio operators as a group of hobbyists enjoying the afternoon in the park. While that was true to a certain extent, the Sweetwater Amateur Radio Club's activity was both a exhibition and an emergency response training exercise.

Rick Breininger, the club's president, said their Saturday field day was hosted by the American Radio Relay League as a nationwide contest for amateur radio clubs to make as many contacts as possible during a 24-hour period. From noon Saturday to noon Sunday, radio operators made contacts with each other, earning points for each unique contact made. While other clubs across the county were attempting to earn points throughout the day, Breininger said the Sweetwater club wasn't too interested in the score.

"We're more into it for fun," he said.

Breininger said their range was impacted by the sun Saturday, but they were still capable of making contact with people as far away as British Columbia, Canada and New York. The conditions of the sun can either help or hinder broadcast range for amateur radio enthusiasts as it impacts the planet's ionosphere. Breininger said the sun is at the low-point of an 11-year solar cycle, which decreases their range.

While the group was having fun, the field day served as an emergency training exercise in field communications. The club utilized equipment loaned to them by Sweetwater County Emergency Management, with power supplied by solar panels or diesel generators. The county's emergency management team also includes the radio club in other emergency training scenarios, such as trial runs to provide emergency vaccines to county residents. Breininger said the club has helped other organizations, such as the National Pony Express Association, in maintaining communications in areas where cellphone service is limited.

Most of the enjoyment Breininger has with the hobby comes from making contacts across the world. Operators exchange written QSL cards, which serve as physical confirmation of their exchange. The term QSL comes from the Q codes originally used in Morse Code, but were later adopted by amateur radio enthusiasts. The term QSL itself was used as a means of questioning and confirming contact between two operators. Breininger said the cards can feature photos of the locations the operators live at, as well as photos of the radio operator and other information about the location. While physical cards are still used, QSL cards can also be transmitted electronically.

The club's vice president, Evan Vestre, said he got into the hobby a few years ago despite having a long interest in amateur radio.

"I always wanted to get into it, but I was always busy," he said.

Vestre said his interest stemmed from being in the Army and handling communications for special forces teams. Working with radio in the Army was somewhat limiting according to Vestre, as the only people he would communicate with were other army radio operators. He's now free to communicate with anyone around the world.

The club will host an entry-level technician class starting July 14, from 6:30-9 p.m. The class then takes place July 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 21 from 6:30-9 p.m. and July 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, with certification testing taking place from 1-5 p.m., July 22. While there isn't a fee for the class itself, prospective students are required to purchase the $30 textbook from the club. Prospective students also are not required to learn Morse Code to participate. Those interested in attending the class can contact Breininger at n1tek@arrl.net to reserve a space.