"This is the open house of our hobby," said Alex Van Patten, public information officer with Red Rose Repeater Association (RRR), a local organization that will participate in the national Amateur Radio Field Day. "It's our chance to show people who have no or limited exposure to this hobby what it's all about," stated Van Patten.

This year's event, known to RRR members as "Summer Field Day," will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25, at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, 750 E. King St., Lancaster. This event is open to the public, and the club particularly recommends stopping by on Saturday between 2 and 8 p.m. The event will close by 2 p.m. on Sunday.

RRR president Ralph Hess noted that antennae setup will be held on Saturday between 8 and 9 a.m. "There are a lot of new hams who want to see that," said Hess. "Ham" is another term for amateur radio. The hobby invites interested persons to experiment with electronics and communications techniques. Hams also provide a free public service to communities during a disaster or emergency - all without needing a cellphone or the internet.

"Thaddeus Stevens is a perfect spot (to hold field day)," noted Van Patten. "People will have their radio stations set up, and the focus is to contact other clubs across the country doing the same thing. We hope to talk to a couple hundred (individuals) or more."

This is the 90th year hams have used field day to demonstrate radio's ability to create reliable communications independent of commercial networks from almost anywhere. Since 1933, amateur radio operators across North America have established temporary radio stations in public locations during field day to showcase the science and skill of amateur radio.

Van Patten pointed out that in addition to contacting other clubs in the U.S., attempts will be made to contact clubs in other countries and even hams in outer space. "We also hope to utilize the space station," he said, noting that there is a radio aboard and that amateurs are encouraged to use the facility as a relay point. "Last year, an astronaut was participating in field day from the space station," he added. Although RRR was not able to make contact, many clubs did. "(The astronaut) was very busy handing out contacts the whole weekend nonstop," said Van Patten. "The equipment to do that is very basic," he added. "For less than $30, you can build an antenna to contact the space station."

In 2019, more than 35,000 people from thousands of locations participated in field day. "Last year, (there were even) more because the hobby is growing every year," said Van Patten. "(There are) more than 770,000 hams (nationwide) now, and there are 28,000 in Pennsylvania alone." Hess noted that hams range in age from as young as 7 to 102. "The hobby has changed in the last five years and really (become) attainable for a number of people," said Van Patten. "The entry point to get involved and have a radio is less than $50."

For more information about field day or amateur radio, visit http://www.w3rrr.org or visit http://www.arrl.org.