Over the past few years, Amateur radio operators - often called Ham Radio Operators have provided critical communications in emergencies like Hurrican Katrina, the California Wildfires, and numerous Tornadoes.

Several Ham Radio Operators were showing off their capabilities to Minot residents just south of the Dakota Square Mall today

to kick off Field Day, which is the culmination of "Amatuer Radio Week." Competitors squared off in a contest to see how many places they could contact in a simulated emergency.

They're usually able to contact 1,500 to 2,000 different locations during a contest.

Event Coordinator Joseph Ferrara thinks many people don't understand how important Ham Radios are in a time of crisis.

(Joseph Ferrara, Field Day Coordinator) "In all the recent disasters we've had from Katrina to the recent stuff in Wisconsin, one of the first things that goes on is the cell phone systems and the commercial communication systems and it's not unusual for us to have to set up stuff and for a few days atleast we're the only thing in sight."


If you missed out on the demonstrations today, don't worry, they will be out there until noon tomorrow. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list