[SatNews] An Amateur Radio organization recently offered demos of satellite and digital equipment as well as HAM operator capabilities...

More than 35,000 Amateur Radio operators will be testing their emergency capabilities this weekend by setting up temporary radio stations in public parks, fields and unusual locations. Showing the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code, "hams" across the USA will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities. When the Internet, cell phones and other forms of communications went down or were overloaded, the hams' unique skills saved lives and property. Thousands of local groups will be demonstrating Amateur Radio at various locations.

Over the past year, the news has been filled with reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications during emergencies across America including wildfires, winter storms, the spring tornadoes and other events worldwide. Amateur Radio – often called "ham radio" - was often the only way people could communicate in the first hours of the crises. As the head of FEMA, Craig Fugate, said on May 3rd, "When everything else fails, Amateur Radio is often times our last defense."

Recently, the public had the chance to meet and talk with Amateur Radio experts and see for themselves what the Amateur Radio Service is about. The public was able to see ham radio's new capabilities and learn how to get their own FCC radio license — before the next disaster strikes. They can even help you get on the air! This annual event, called "Field Day" is sponsored by ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. Using only emergency power systems, their slogan, "When All Else Fails, Ham Radio Works" is more than just words as they prove they can send wireless messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or other systems that can be compromised in a crisis. There are more than 698,000 Amateur Radio licensees in the U.S. and more than 2.5 million worldwide. The ARRL's Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES®) program provides emergency communications for thousands of state and local emergency response agencies and non-emergency community services too, all for free.