The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing and Tourism (MICUHT) collaborated with the Anguilla Amateur Radio Society (AARS) in staging the island’s first ever Field Day exercise at Coronation Park in The Valley last Friday (September 17).
According to both Ministry and ham radio club officials, the purpose of the event was to test the readiness of the ham radio operators on the island in the event of a disaster or emergency situation.
The local amateur radio enthusiasts responded promptly to the invitation from the Ministry, headed by Hon. Minister MICUH&T, Haydn Hughes, by setting up high frequency (HF) , very high frequency (VHF) and other ancillary ham radio gear, and began to transmit and receive radio signals from all over the world notably Europe, the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
The planning and coordination of the critical exercise was spearheaded by MICUH&T Permanent Secretary, Karim Hodge; Travis Carty, Director Public Utilities; and the Executive of the AARS.
The event will become an annual event – to be staged during the international field day exercise normally held during the last full weekend in June each year.
Field Day is an annual amateur radio exercise, widely sponsored by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) regions and member organisations, encouraging emergency communications preparedness among amateur radio operators. Temporary transmitting stations are set up in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to the community and country.
It combines public service, emergency preparedness and community outreach. Field Day has been an annual event in the ham radio community since 1933.
Communications Minister, Mr. Haydn Hughes, in delivering the keynote address, lauded praise on the local ham radio operators for their sterling service to the country over the years especially during the annual Atlantic hurricane season. He mentioned the invaluable service provided by the ham radio operators during the passage of the destructive hurricane Irma in September 2017.
Hughes said that the Ministry was happy to be partnering with the radio club in staging the first ever Field Day in Anguilla. PS Hodge also echoed similar sentiments and challenged the radio club to engage the students in the high school who have a particular interest in math, physics and other sciences.
Calvin Andre Samuel, Director Department of Disaster Management (DDM), pledged his full support for the ham radio club; noting that the two organisations collaborate regularly especially during the hurricane season. Mr Samuel, in his brief remarks, said the DDM has a standing agreement with the radio club, to operate the emergency communication equipment once word is given for the EOC -Emergency Operations Centre – to be activated.
AARS President, Keith ‘Stone’ Greaves, thanked the Minister and his staff for agreeing to sponsor the Field Day exercise at short notice. He also commended the local hams for enthusiastically embracing the idea and responding in a positive manner.
The club president reminded the Minister that the amateur radio club is still awaiting word from the Government of Anguilla regarding duty free concession on ham radio gear for use in providing a vital service to the Anguillian community.
Acting Governor, Mr. Perin Bradley, also attended the formal opening ceremony – and received, along with the Minister; PS MICUH&T; and Director Public Utilities – a special brief on ham radio and general operating procedures.
