What happens when the power goes out, cell towers stop working, and the internet disappears?

For thousands of amateur radio operators across the country, that’s exactly the kind of challenge they’ve been preparing for.

The Rappahannock Valley Amateur Radio Club is inviting the public to experience Amateur Radio Field Day on Saturday and Sunday, June 27th and 28th at Curtis Memorial Park in Stafford County.

Field Day is a nationwide event that brings together HAM radio operators to practice the skills and communication techniques that can become critical during emergencies, severe weather, and natural disasters. It’s part training exercise, part community event, and part friendly competition as operators attempt to make radio contacts with stations across the country and around the world.

You may be surprised to learn that local amateur radio volunteers regularly provide communications support for community events throughout the Fredericksburg region, including many area races and public gatherings. During Field Day, they’ll be setting up temporary radio stations, testing equipment, and demonstrating how radio operators can stay connected when traditional communication systems aren’t available.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by, ask questions, and even get behind the microphone themselves. You might make a contact with someone hundreds or even thousands of miles away using nothing more than radio waves and a little curiosity.

Whether you’re interested in technology, emergency preparedness, public service, or you’re simply looking for something unique to do with the family, organizers say there’s plenty to see and learn.

The event is sponsored by the Rappahannock Valley Amateur Radio Club and sanctioned by the ARRL, the national association for amateur radio.

Field Day takes place rain or shine, day and night, June 27th and 28th at Curtis Memorial Park in Stafford County.

Because when all else fails, communication still matters.