PRESS RELEASE: Invitation from ARES of Delaware County to Field Day Exercise, June 28th & 29th
Invitation from ARES of Delaware County to Field Day Exercise, June 22nd & 23rd
ARES of Delaware County would like to extend an invitation for you to meet the COUNTY amateur radio operators as we participate in the national Field Day event.
Public hours are:
- Saturday, June 28th, 2025, between 3pm and 6pm.
- Sunday, June 29th, 2025, between 9am and noon.
Hosted at Radnor Township Municipal Building. Location: 301 Iven Avenue, Wayne PA 19087 (directions listed below).
Why Visit Us During Field Day
Just a few of the reasons to visit us include:
- See our mobile communications trailer, outfitted with some really interesting radios and equipment.
- See our radio operators make contact with other stations all over the US and world.
- Get on the air yourself, with the assistance of one of our licensed amateur radio operators.
And if all of that isn't enough, we are also offering a FREE PAIR of NEW MOTOROLA TALKABOUT T5500 FRS (family radio service) HANDHELD TWO WAY RADIOS to everyone that visits us this year. The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a private, two-way, short-distance voice and data communications service for facilitating family and group activities. The most common use for FRS channels is short-distance, two-way voice communications using small hand-held radios that are similar to walkie-talkies. The service is licensed-by-rule so the general public can use the devices without having to obtain a license and channel sharing is achieved through a listen-before-talk etiquette.
These are a good way to get hands on experience with two-way radio, and would make an excellent addition to your emergency supplies kit: https://www.ready.gov/kit
What We Do
Amateur radio operators provide a critical public service for our community; during times of disaster, we can provide reliable communications when the normal infrastructure is offline. Licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and trained in the art and science of radio communication and basic electronics theory, we own and maintain our own communications equipment and are prohibited by federal law from receiving payment for our services.
ARRL, our national organization, has built relationships with several served agencies including FEMA, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and many others. Here our operators provide back-up, auxiliary emergency communication support to the Delaware County Department of Emergency Services (DES).
This public service is easily extended during non‐emergency civic events, such as parades, marathons, and street festivals.
Field Day is our chance to show the science, service, and skill we can offer to our community free of charge, including our new mobile communications trailer.
We would love the opportunity to show you our capabilities in person.
Directions
If you are traveling from anywhere in Delaware county, take the blue route I-476 North to exit 13 for St. David's - Villanova. At the bottom of the ramp, the 2 right hand lanes go straight to King of Prussia Road and right to PA Rt. 30 East. You'll want to stay in the far left of the 2 left hand lanes to turn onto PA Rt 30 West towards St. David's and Wayne and stay in the left most lane. You'll pass a traffic light at the other on/off ramp to I-476 Southbound lanes, keep going.
The next traffic light will be at Radnor-Chester Road, you'll want to make a left hand turn here. As soon as you complete that turn, make a right-hand turn onto Sinkler Lane. You'll see a brown sign directing you to the Delaware County Sports Museum, which is also at the township building. Once you get to Iven Ave, make a left-hand turn at the stop sign. You'll pass Encke Park on your left and make a left into the entrance. Follow the road up to the upper parking lot at the main entrance of the municipal building.
The exact location of the trailer is at the circle of the upper parking lot.
If you have what3words, you can use the location: ///river.remark.landed
If you get lost, you can call the trailer CAT cell phone at 484-644-8108 for assistance or use the W3KG 446.775 Boothwyn repeater.
For more information on ARES of Delaware County please visit: https://www.delcoares.org/
For more information on ARRL Field Day please visit: https://www.arrl.org/field-day
About ARES of Delaware County
Amateur radio operators provide a critical public service for our community by providing reliable communications when the normal infrastructure is offline.
When regular communication channels fail such as the Internet or a cell phone network, hams under the direction of ARES are prepared to swing into action, assisting emergency communications efforts and working with public service agencies.
ARES extends its vital services to local, county, and state agencies, including the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during disasters and emergencies. Whether it's a public service event, a widespread health emergency, or an essential exercise and drill, ARES ensures that communication lines remain open and effective.
Delaware County ARES operates several repeaters dedicated to emergency communications from various sites within the county. The locations of the repeater systems offer large radio frequency footprints providing excellent coverage for portable, mobile, and fixed radio communication throughout Delaware County and adjacent areas. With ARES, Delaware County stays connected, prepared, and resilient, no matter what challenges arise.
ARES is coordinated by volunteer Chris Kelleher who has a team of dedicated individuals who assist in the daily operations. Tammi Maciolek, the DES Emergency Management Specialist, is also the Delco ARES Liaison. Chris and Tammi work diligently to ensure that the ARES volunteer— dedicated, well-trained, and knowledgeable professionals—have everything needed to continue supporting our communities with the expert level of service they provide.
About ARES
Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies When All Else Fails®. Hams serve our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers, and wired and wireless networks. Amateur radio can function completely independently of the internet and phone systems. An amateur radio station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others.
About ARRL
Founded in 1914, ARRL (the American Radio Relay League) is the national association for amateur radio in the US.
MISSION
ARRL’s mission is to promote and protect the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur radio, and to develop the next generation of radio amateurs.
What Is Amateur Radio (or Ham Radio)
VISION
ARRL, through our digital transformation, will be globally recognized by radio amateurs and the public for promoting amateur radio through our superior delivery of content, training, and licensing; protecting amateur radio through our work with regulators and industry; and investing in the future of amateur radio by inspiring and educating America’s youth in radio communications and technology.
ABOUT
Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim as The American Radio Relay League, ARRL is a noncommercial organization that numbers within our ranks the vast majority of active radio amateurs in the United States. ARRL is also the Secretariat of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). We have a proud history of achievement as the standard-bearer in amateur affairs.
A bona fide interest in amateur radio is the only essential qualification of ARRL membership; an amateur radio license is not a prerequisite, although full voting membership is granted only to licensed radio amateurs in the US.
ARRL FIVE PILLARS
ARRL’s underpinnings as amateur radio’s witness, partner and forum are defined by five pillars: Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership.