Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club to hold Field Day June 27

See amateur radio in action and learn about some of Schaumburg’s history when the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club holds its annual field day from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 27, on the grounds of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 202 E. Schaumburg Road.

During this time, visitors can see how amateur radio communication works and even try it themselves.

The goals of Field Day are to operate under less-than-ideal conditions like those during emergencies or disasters, where operators might need to communicate without permanent antennas or reliable power sources, and to promote the hobby and science. Participating radio operators may use generators, solar panels, batteries, wind power, or even bicycle-powered generators, and temporary antennas.

This event is popular among amateur radio enthusiasts in the U.S. and Canada, where over 35,000 operators gather in different locations to practice and demonstrate their skills.

The ARRL is part of a community of amateur radio operators in North America and around the world. Its name comes from the early days of wireless communication when private radio operators would pass (relay) messages from one station to the next.

For those new to amateur radio, there will be a special tent called GOTA (Get On The Air) where a licensed operator will help visitors make radio contacts locally, across the U.S., or even further away. Additionally, there will be a fun activity called “Fox Hunt,” where participants use handheld radios and directional antennas to find a hidden transmitter, testing their skills and teamwork.

About amateur radio

Amateur radio operators, often called “Hams,” are licensed by their governments. In the U.S. the Federal Communications Commission is the agency responsible for licensing almost all radio systems and operators. It recognizes the importance of amateur radio in emergency communication and states that one of its main goals is to provide voluntary, non-commercial communication services that can help during crises.

There are over 750,000 licensed Hams in the U.S. and more than 3 million worldwide, and this number continues to grow. Many new operators are young people who learn programming and electronics, often using devices like Arduino or Raspberry Pi to create innovative communication systems.

This event will feature different modes of communication, including voice, digital modes like FT-8, and Morse Code (CW). While no longer required, Morse Code is still popular, sometimes transmitted at speeds close to normal speech. Operators will also be using push-to-talk voice communication, or computer-based digital modes that require minimal power. It’s common for operators to make contacts over thousands of miles using just a few watts of power, about the same power used by a small night light.

Some operators bounce signals off the moon or meteor trails or use satellites. The International Space Station is equipped with ham radios and often has crew members who are licensed Hams. Equipment ranges from inexpensive handheld radios to large, complex stations with sophisticated radios and antenna systems. Many operators build their own gear.

There’s a wide range of outdoor operations like Parks on the Air or Summits on the Air where operators use small portable stations to contact other operators. Many clubs, including SARC, hold demonstrations and educational events for scouts, students and community groups.

Hams participate in public service events such as parades and festivals where they provide additional “eyes and ears” for event managers. Trained volunteers also assist first responders during emergencies.

Amateur radio has a long history of helping during disasters. For example, during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, radio operators relayed messages when telephone and telegraph lines failed. Today, they continue to support emergency services through organizations like ARES, SATERN, RACES, and others. Most equipment is paid for by operators themselves, as amateur radio is a volunteer service that cannot accept payment for services.

Local history

While amateur radio is more than 125 years old, the history of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church is older, starting in 1847. Its grounds on Schaumburg Road include the original church and a cemetery that is the final resting place for many of Schaumburg’s founders.

On same grounds is the Schaumburg Centre School. Built in 1872, it was one of five public schools founded in Schaumburg Township. The schoolhouse was also the site of the first village hall in 1956. Originally on Schaumburg Road northwest of Roselle Road, it was moved in 1981 and restored on its current site on the St. Peter Lutheran Church property. This one room schoolhouse (222 Schaumburg Road) is owned by the village of Schaumburg and leased to the Schaumburg Township Historical Society. The school will be open to the public during Field Day.

For information, visit Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club at n9rjv.org; the American Radio Relay League at arrl.org/FIELD-DAY; and Schaumburg Township Historical Society at st-hs.org.