Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary radio stations in public locations to show how quickly they can be ready in an emergency.

The Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs took part in a field day this weekend to showcase amateur- or ham – radio. They set up a fully operational radio station in the middle of Pippy Park, without needing a cell phone or the Internet, in about 15 minutes.

Chris Hillier, the president of the Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs, says the alliance wants to let people know that they are ready to help those in need.

He says it’s another form of communication if modern technology fails.

During Snowmaggedon, phone lines on the Burin Peninsula were knocked out, so they stepped up.

He says they relied heavily on HF radio on 3.740 MHz to pass information from one community to the other to alert emergency services.