FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO):  Indiana “ham” radio operators will conduct a 24-hour, off the electric grid field exercise this weekend. They will set up and operate emergency communication systems to simulate how to respond to a natural disaster. ARRL (American Radio Relay League)



Spokesman Joe March, says amateur radio operators are often the first to provide critical early information and observations to responders in crisis situations when cell phone towers are out and power lines down cut Internet access.



Brian Jenks with the Fort Wayne Radio Club recalls the Henryville tornadoes in 2012.



“We actually had ham operators from this area that were deployed at the request of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. We provided assistance for days, if not weeks at a time.”



Field exercises will take place at 22 sites throughout Indiana. In Fort Wayne, there's an event at the Dolnick Learning Center at IPFW Saturday and Sunday.