On the weekend of June 27 and 28, several Ventura County amateur radio clubs and groups will be polishing their communications skills for use during any natural or manmade disaster or communications outage. Sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, each club or group will operate under simulated emergency conditions and practice communicating with other amateur radio stations throughout the U.S. and the world during the 24-hour period from 11 a.m. on Saturday until 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Amateur radio operators routinely provide communications services to federal, state and local agencies, as well as the Red Cross and Salvation Army when communication outages or shortfalls occur, such as an earthquake, during a wildfire or if a major highway is unexpectedly closed.

Cellphones are marvelous tools, but even now, cellular systems can normally serve fewer than 10 percent of the customers in a local area at any given instant. If needed, amateur radio communications systems completely bypass cellphone networks, telephones, the Internet and noncompatible radio systems to permit direct communications between various agencies throughout the country.

Two amateur radio club groups will operate in Eastern Ventura County during Field Day 2009. Both groups welcome visitors and will provide information about their field day setups, public service use of amateur radio and a chance to talk via amateur radio.

The Ventura County Amateur Radio Society (VCARS), joined by the Simi Settlers Amateur Radio Club (SSARC) and Ventura Co. Amateur Radio Club (VCARC), will operate from the grounds of the Reagan Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley.

In addition, the Conejo Valley Amateur Radio Club (CVARC) will conduct its operations adjacent to Conejo Recreation and Park District Headquarters at 403 W. Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks.

Amgen's Amateur Radio Club will also conduct emergency communication tests. Many other individual amateur radio operators will also be "on the air," as well as some private groups. Please stop by to visit one or more groups. Peter Heins Thousand Oaks