ASHLAND, Ky. — Local amateur radio enthusiasts will demonstrate their talents this weekend and stay in practice in case they are needed in the event of a regional emergency.

The River Cities Amateur Radio Association Field Day is set to begin at noon on Saturday and run until 2 p.m. Sunday at pavilion 9 at ARMCO Park in Ashland.

Club president Chris Straiton said the event is part of a nationwide effort.

“All amateur radio operators in the country go out in the field and operate on emergency power for 24 hours,” he said.

He said it gives them a chance to do a simulation of tasks they would need to do in an emergency, such as relaying messages to the state capital.

He said the event is part contest, with operators trying to make as many contacts as possible, and part social.

“It gives people a chance to see us in action,” he said. “We hold it in a public place so we can expose people to amateur radio.”

The group, located in Ashland, serves the Tri-State from Ashland to Portsmouth to Huntington.

Amateur radio is a key component in disaster preparedness. A simulated disaster event by Lawrence County emergency personnel this past Saturday made use of the South Ohio Amateur Radio Association, which organizers said would serve as a source of back-up communications in the event of an emergency.