Tens of thousands of ham radio operators gathered at locations across the country recently to talk to each other on the air using specific emergency protocols in a nationwide exercise. Three local ham radio groups participated in the annual field day, earning points for communicating with other operators, national organizations, as well as other countries.

In Pahrump, about 30 members of ARES, or Amateur Radio Emergency Services, and RACES, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services, covered the valley, setting up their headquarters at the EMS Operations Center on Siri Lane.