HAMS TO GATHER IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

About 25 members of the SEMO Amateur Radio Club will join thousands of participants across North America this weekend in the Amateur Radio Relay League's Field Day.

Amateur radio operators will set up on the hill in Cape County Park North. The event will run from 9 a.m. Saturday to about noon Sunday, and the public is invited.

"There are all sorts of competitions for `hams' all across the country," said club member Martha Vandivort. "And it ranges from how low a power can you talk for how far, to how many counties in the country can you contact, or just how many contacts can you make.

"It's quite an honor to win any one of the categories," she said.

There will be a picnic at 4 Saturday afternoon.

The competition is a way for amateur radio operators to test their disaster preparedness.

"One of the things that the amateur radio community is known for is for assisting in time of disaster," Vandivort said. "They are proud of their contribution during a time of disaster, and they like to visit with people and show what they can do."