(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The smallest of technology can produce the biggest of platforms.

Such is the case with the Beaver Valley Amateur Radio Association, who will be hosting their annual 24-hour “Field Day” starting on Saturday, June 25 at Old Economy Park. Rich Soltez (K3SOM) & Director Tony Pavilonis (K3AHP) joined Matt Drzik on the June 21 edition of A.M. Beaver County to discuss the ins and outs of what is most commonly known as “ham radio”.

According to Soltez, the origins of Field Day harken back to the 1930s, when the importance for amateur radio technology was realized. “The purpose of it was really to get ambulances ready for emergencies,” he said. “In other words, the purpose was to take your equipment at a moment’s notice, out into a remote location–perhaps a park, perhaps a top of a hill somewhere–bring your own pieces of wire and whatever you could for antennas, and also a source of power like a gasoline generator.”

The power it takes to operate a ham radio can be used to contact the world, as well. Pavilonis told a story about one contact Soltez made where “he had a low powered radio of five watts–imagine a five-watt light bulb–set up a temporary antenna out in the field, and next thing you know…Rich, who were you talking to?” Soltez confirmed that his first two contacts on a five-watt radio reached all the way to Germany.

For more information on Field Day and the Beaver Valley Amateur Radio Association, check out their website by clicking here.

To watch the full interview regarding Field Day, click on the Facebook feed below!