STAMFORD — Local ham radio operators showed off their skills last weekend at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center during the annual amateur radio field day.
 
The event was part of a 24 hour national demonstration of emergency communications capabilities that take effect when unexpected disaster strikes. The annual field day is the climax of a week long Amateur Radio Week sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
 
"With the rise of the Internet, many thought that amateur radio was going to die, but the opposite has happened," said Frank Cassella, emergency coordinator for the Stamford Amateur Radio Club. "This event is to essentially demonstrate our abilities to the public."
 
Nearly 50 guests gathered at the observation deck on a hot and muggy Saturday afternoon to speak with expert ham radio operators, view radio rigs that operate using satellite and communicate with other operators stationed around the world.
 
Among those on hand was state Rep. William Tong, D-147 who met with Cassella, newly appointed to his position, to learn about the club.
 
Amateur Radio is a worldwide network of people who share a common interest in wireless communications. There are nearly 700,000 licensed Amateur Radio operators in the United States and three million around the world. More than 34,000 people participated in last year's event.
 
Even though it often goes unnoticed, amateur radio often called ham radio, is still an important method of communication, said Cassella.
 
"When other systems fail, ham radio is still there," he said. This was evident during Hurricane Katrina. With Internet and cell phones inoperable, ham radio proved to be the only effective means of communication. Ham radio was also helpful during the California wildfires, Oregon and Michigan storms and the recent earthquake that devastated China.
 
Telephones, cell phones, Internet, trunk lines and satellite phones all have to go through many vulnerable choke points and need electric power. During an emergency, these systems can be overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help.
 
While hams may use the Internet or a repeater system, they don't have to do so. Ham operators can communicate directly with each other because each station is fully independent. By tuning into the right frequency, hams can talk across town or across the globe.
 
In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission grants amateur radio licenses to qualified individuals who complete a basic 35-question exam. There are three levels of Amateur Radio licenses, each with greater responsibility. All members purchase their own equipment, which range in price from $200 to $10,000, said Cassella.
 
To learn more about Ham Radio go to www.emergency-radio.org