Paso Robles Amateur Radio Club tests emergency readiness with public event
Amateur radio operators to gather for winter field day event
– The Paso Robles Amateur Radio Club will host the 2025 American Radio Relay League Winter Field Day on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Estrella Warbirds Museum, located at 4251 Dry Creek Road in Paso Robles.
The event invites the public to join one of the most popular on-the-air activities across the United States and Canada. Thousands of amateur radio operators will gather with clubs, groups, or friends to operate from remote locations.
The event provides an opportunity for radio operators to test their equipment in case of emergencies or disasters, familiarize themselves with setup and takedown procedures in challenging conditions, and demonstrate capabilities to the public and the organizations they serve.
Participants will also compete to contact the most other stations during the event.
Amateur radio has been relied upon during crises despite advancements in modern communication technologies, such as cell phones and the internet. During large-scale disasters, these systems are often among the first to fail. Examples of amateur radio use include responses to the Lahaina wildfire, hurricanes Milton and Helene, and recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
The American Radio Relay League, the national association for amateur radio in the United States, represents over 170,000 licensed operators. Often called “ham radio,” the amateur radio service has been active for over a century, evolving into a global community of licensed operators who transmit voice, data, and images through the airwaves without depending on commercial systems.
Participants range from young children to seniors, and the community includes professionals like rocket scientists and musicians, as well as everyday individuals.
The Paso Robles Amateur Radio Club meets on the first Monday of each month in Thomson Hall at the Estrella Warbirds Museum. For more information, contact Scot Morrison at (805) 709-3430.
