The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors has officially proclaimed the week of June 23, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week, recognizing the invaluable contributions of local Amateur Radio operators who serve our communities through public service, emergency communications, and technical innovation.
This proclamation comes in honor of the dedicated individuals who, through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), volunteer countless hours supporting emergency response operations, public safety events, and STEM education—often behind the scenes and always without compensation.
Amateur Radio, also known as “ham radio,” has a proud legacy spanning over 100 years. Operators play a vital role in crisis situations, providing life-saving communication support when traditional systems fail due to natural disasters or infrastructure disruptions. Their service represents an often underappreciated, yet essential, component of our emergency preparedness capabilities.
As part of the nationwide recognition of their work, local ham radio clubs and operators will participate in ARRL Field Day 2025, an annual emergency communication exercise taking place during the fourth weekend of June. Field Day simulates off-grid communication capabilities and serves as both a public outreach event and a training opportunity. Thousands of Amateur Radio operators across the country—and right here in Yavapai County—will be setting up temporary stations in parks, community centers, and remote locations to demonstrate their skills and educate the public.
Residents are invited to visit a local Field Day site to see Amateur Radio in action, learn how it supports emergency response efforts, and even get on the air under the guidance of a licensed operator.
For more information about Field Day, visit ARRL.org. To learn more about ARES/RACES, visit www.k7yca.org.
