Amateur radio operators from FARA participated in the recent Cape Cod Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) exercise "Spring Comm". The Falmouth Field Station was active on HF,-80M, and on VHF simplex during the exercise. Participation seemed to be down, as the number of check-ins was lower than previous exercises. This may have been due to the exercise being held on Mother's Day weekend. Band conditions were also relatively poor due to solar activity.
A nation-wide Winlink exercise was held on the same day. Amateur radio stations around the US send simulated emergency messages to regional clearinghouses via radio using Winlink. The exercise also included direct messaging to "target stations" setup around the US on several amateur bands.
Exercise such as these are an important part of maintaining readiness to provide radio communications in the event of emergencies that interrupt normal telecommunications.
Images courtesy of Frank, WQ1O
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