LEWISTON — The Androscoggin ARES/RACES emergency communications group will conduct a ham radio “simplex” test from Lewiston on Tuesday, April 8, starting at 7:30 p.m. The frequency will be on 146.460 Megahertz FM.

Simplex communications is “line-of-sight” versus the use of amateur radio repeater systems. During natural or man-made disasters, existing repeater systems, cellular phone and landline systems and other normal means of communications are often disrupted. Large solar flares can also temporarily disrupt the longer-range high frequency bands. Simplex operations in the Very High Frequency and Ultra High Frequency bands could be the only means of communications under certain conditions.

A statewide initiative to encourage ham radio groups in all regions of the state to schedule occasional simplex “nets” started in February in Washington County. The goal is to eventually get enough FCC-licensed ham radio operators participating to enable short messages to be relayed from anywhere in Maine to Augusta without using repeaters. Organizers are asking ham radio operators from Kittery to Bangor and other regions to listen on 146.460 and check into the net directly or via relays. Ivan Lazure will conduct the test using his FCC-call sign N1OXA.

For more information, call Lazure, 207-577-5152, or email [email protected].