07/22/2005 | W4MGN Fraternally and 73, W4MGN

On June 25th of this year, 15 Brother Masons gathered in a field on the west side of US 75 in Allen Texas to participate in what has become an annual tradition among Amateur Radio Operators across the United States. The ARRL Field Day is an annual event held the 4th weekend of June where Amateur Radio Operators Hams set up radio stations in public places and for a 24 hour period they make as many contacts by Ham Radio with other Field Day Stations The purpose of Field Day is to hone the operators skills in setting up and operating radio stations as they would in emergency conditions.

It has been said that Ham Radio works when other systems dont. In most every natural disaster, you find Amateur Radio Operators providing communication support to emergency officials and communicating Health and Welfare messages out of the areas affected. Their equipment is designed to work without the benefit of commercial power grids and is portable so it can be taken to the areas where needs.

The brothers who setup and operated the field site station in Allen, Texas are part of The Masonic Gathering. The Masonic Gathering is a group of Brother Masons worldwide who share the hobby of Amateur Radio. Consisting of almost 400 members, these brothers gather each Sunday evening for a Gathering via radio repeaters and internet connections via VOIP systems designed by and for Amateur Radio Operators. During these nets, the brothers discuss activities of their lodges and other items of interest to Masons.

While most of the members of the Gathering were not able to participate at the station in Texas, many were actively participating with other local Ham clubs at stations across the country. The Gathering field day station operated under the call sign W4MGN. From the top of the tower flew a flag displaying the Square and Compasses. The site was open to the public and was published in the local newspaper. The site was visited by several young people who got the chance to set down at a radio and make contacts with other radio stations.

The event was a great success. It promoted the service to the community that both Amateur Radio and the Masons provide. For those who were able to attend, the fellowship of brother masons is always a joy.

For more information on Amateur Radio, please check out the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) website at www.arrl.org . The website of The Masonic Gathering is www.masonicgathering.net. -- W4MOP