The fourth Saturday in June is a special day each year for 35,000-plus amateur radio enthusiasts throughout the U.S. and Canada. It is the annual Field Day operation when short wave radio operators contact their fellow Ham broadcasters.

The Field Day is an exercise designed to prepare Ham operators for coordinating communication services during a catastrophic event or natural disaster.

In past horrific events such as 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing and the 1998 Maine ice storm, ham radio operators assisted local emergency personnel in coordinating rescue efforts. These disasters knocked out conventional power sources which crippled traditional communication systems.

East Boothbay resident Al Sirois, 83, is one of thousands of licensed amateur radio operators who hosted a Field Day exercise. Three local ham operators joined him in the 24-hour exercise which began at 2 p.m. on June 25.

The three contacted fellow ham radio operators up and down the eastern seaboard. Sirois was joined by his brother, Ron Sirois, from Salem, Massachusetts, Rod Scribner of Pittston, and Will Brinegar of Southport.

These licensed Ham radio operators used voice, digital, and continuous wave (Morse code) broadcasts in contacting other amateur radio enthusiasts. The participants score points by establishing contact with others and providing public information through written material at their Field Day headquarters.

They are all part of the American Radio Relay League based in Connecticut. They expect to make over 1,000 contacts during the testing period. All results will be published in the organization’s publication QST Magazine later this year.

Last year, Al Sirois’ crew scored the second highest grade in Maine and finished seventh overall in New England, he said.

“This is an opportunity for radio operators to practice emergency communications in a time of worldwide catastrophe. These disasters all disrupt traditional communication. We use generator or battery power so we’re able to set up in a tent and provide communication to coordinate emergency services,” said Al Sirois.

For many of these amateur operators have used a shortwave radio since childhood. Ron Sirois learned semaphore at the Salem, Massachusetts YMCA as a kid. When the Sirois brothers got older, they applied for their amateur radio licenses.

“I told Al we shouldn’t depend upon on ‘Ma Bell’ for communication so why don’t we go ahead and get our ham tickets (licenses),” he said.

Operators are initially tested on continuous wireless communication (Morse code) and must decode five words per minute to obtain a license. They are also required to pass a written exam. Licensees are required to re-certify every 10 years.

Al Sirois used a short wave radio during his tenure in the U.S. Navy.

“I continue to do it because it’s an extension of my armed services training and my education at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy,” he said.

Brinegar, 71, is a relative new comer to Ham radio. He obtained his amateur license two years ago. He is a retired engineer and was looking for an indoor activity to occupy his winters.

“I listened to short wave radio as a kid, but didn’t get a license until recently,” Brinegar said. “This is my first Field Day. Al called and asked me to come over and participate.”

Scribner has been involved in Ham radio for several years. He remembers how amateur radio provided communication in the Belgrade area during the ice storm.

“For two to three weeks, we coordinated with the Red Cross in bringing trucks of food along with emergency vehicles by Ham radio. We provided 35,000 meals to elderly and home-bound people without electricity,” he said.

Al Sirois put his skills to use several years ago when Boothbay lost power for several days. He set up a Ham radio operation at Boothbay Region High School and contacted emergency management officials in Sagadahoc County to coordinate services.