Today, the Pearl River County Amateur Radio Club will host its annual Ham Festival at the Emergency Operations Center in Poplarville.
The club was founded in 2006, member Clifford Mitchell said.
The National Association for Amateur Radio defines amateur, or Ham radio as a popular hobby and service in which licensed operators operate communications equipment.
“Our group also volunteers our communication services in the event of an emergency,” Mitchell said. “We have members that are strong in many fields including Morse code, voice only and antenna building.”
Mitchell said the prime function of today’s event’s is to trade and sell and radio equipment, as well as meet and greet other amateur radio professionals.
There will be local as well as out-of-state vendors.
The American Red Cross van will be stationed at the entrance gates to host one of their general blood drives, Mitchell said. Each donor will be entered into a giveaway for a photo session with a local photographer.
The Emergency Operations Center is located in Poplarville at the corner of Hwy. 26 and Hwy. 11 in the old National Guard Armory.
The event is open to the public and lasts from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is $5.
Learn more about the amateur radio club by visiting their website at www.prcarc.com and through Facebook at Pearl River County Amateur Radio Club.