DOWNEY - Members of the Downey Amateur Radio Club participated in the national Amateur Radio Field Day exercise over the weekend on June 24 and 25.

The radio club set up in the small parking lot on the east side of Apollo Park, using tools and equipment – much of which either handmade or repurposed – to connect and communicate with several similar groups spread out across the country and Canada.

The group had Friday to prepare before going into “contest mode” for 24 hours, starting on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Digital, voice, and Morse code techniques were all utilized.

The first Field Day event was held in 1933, and has occurred ever since with the exception of during WWII. It is sponsored by The American Radio Relay League.

While the event serves as a fun, informal contest for the groups, many use it as an opportunity to practice their capabilities during an emergency situation where local phone and internet communications may be unavailable.

To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio.