Local operators in tune

Ham radio operators will be setting makeshift camps nationwide this weekend in a bid to prove themselves the most skilled communicators. The "Jock White Field Days" are an annual emergency practice run for amateur radio operators throughout New Zealand. The two-day event sees about 50 teams set up temporary shelter and contact one another by ham radio voice call and morse code once every hour, explains Graeme Bateman, amateur radio operator. After the Hawera Amateur Radio Club won the event last year, Mr Bateman and fellow radio operator Gary Legge are confident the club is in with another chance this time around. "The most contacts you make, win the competition," Mr Legge said. "You've set up the best station." It is an important training process for potential disasters. "We are responsible for mountain communications and stuff like that, when climbers are in trouble on the south side of the mountain (Taranaki)," he said. "And naturally we can be responsible to provide radio communications in disasters when all other means have failed." Mr Bateman agrees. "In situations like Christchurch, they made great use of amateur radio operators because it was fairly difficult to get information in or out (of the city) for a while," he said. And besides, it is all great fun. "One of the advantages is that we can operate out of anywhere as long as we get access to a 12 volt battery," Mr Legge said. For the past 25 years, Hawera Amateur Radio Club has operated out of the Kakaramea School grounds and used their facilities for sleeping. Ad Feedback - © Fairfax NZ News PETRA FINER -SOUTH TARANAKI STAR Last updated 11:05 20/02/2013