When natural disaster hits all forms of communication via phone and internet can be wiped out. On Saturday and Sunday amateur ham operators competed with just their radios by trying to make contact with as many other stations as possible.

“What we are doing is talking to people all over the US and Canada with similar set ups,” Field Day Chairman Mitch Stern said.

The Radio Amateurs of Northern Vermont group consists of over 100 radio lovers. They have made contact with over 4000 other stations and took first and second place in its category in the last several years.

 “This club does a lot of contacts,” Ham Radio Field Day participant Jeff Bonn said. “We’re off in the national champions and there’s something fun about showing off cool electrical things too.”

Anyone interested in becoming an amateur ham radio operator can learn more at the Radio Amateurs of Northern Vermont website.