CITY FOCUS:HAMs test successfully

Ten local HAMs had a field day at the 75th annual international Field Day test Saturday and Sunday of amateur radio-operated communications, often the only source of information in emergencies.

“It was very successful,” said John Kountz, chief radio officer of the Laguna Beach Emergency Response Team, known as HAMS.

The 24-hour test was conducted from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday just off the fire road about midway between Moulton Meadows Park and Top of the World.

“We had about 30 visitors, although no one took advantage of the opportunity to radiogram service personnel in Iraq,” Kountz said.

Visitors included Councilwoman Jane Egly, Fire Chief Mike Macey and his wife Donna.

“The Maceys came twice, once with coffee. They were warmly welcomed,” Kountz said.

Laguna’s team logged 213 contacts to or from 46 states.

Exchanged information included how many transmitters were in use, section identification and the type of power used.

“We are fully solar- and battery-powered,” Kountz said.

Laguna’s information is 2AOrange. Translation: two transmitters, emergency power only, from the Orange section.

The county is broken up into sections, Kountz said. Orange covers more than just the county.

This was the ninth year the Laguna group participated in the field event.

For more information about the group, call (949) 494-8783.