When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August of 2005, it washed away land-based forms of communication. Cell phones didn’t work, either, because providers couldn’t handle the number of calls from the area.

Communication for the relief effort was provided by volunteer emergency radio operators, nicknamed “hams.”

Last weekend, approximately 25 hams from Redmond practiced for communication emergencies similar to Hurricane Katrina at Farrel-McWhirter Park. The drill was part of a nationwide amateur emergency-radio competition called Field Day.

“It’s good to have a little bit of competition, but that’s not the purpose,” said Joe Oats, who belongs to several amateur radio operators’ clubs.

The point of the event was to make sure that the team was equipped and ready for emergencies, said Redmond City Councilmember David Carson, who was eating breakfast at the event.

“It’s practice for the real thing,” Carson said.

In a real emergency, radio crews wouldn’t be able to rest, said Redmond Police Department Lt. Charlie Gorman, the public relations liaison between Redmond police and amateur radio groups in the area. So, to make the drill more realistic, the radio operators stayed at the park for 24 hours, starting on June 27 at 11 a.m.

But most of the radio operators took breaks to enjoy the hot June weather and socialize.

“There’s a lot of camaraderie,” said emergency radio operator Dan Baugh. “It’s addicting. It’s fun.”

Several of the radio operators set up “communication stations” with computers and small satellites outside of their campers and tents.

Although Redmond’s amateur radio operators downplay the competition, they scored well in it last year and came in 20th place in the nation for their division.

Teams earned one point for each of the emergency-radio groups that they contacted using Morse code, phones and digital satellites.

They also earned bonus points for involving government officials and raising media awareness.

Besides Carson, City Councilmembers Kimberly Allen, Richard Cole and Pat Vache also attended the event. Redmond Mayor John Marchione proclaimed last week Amateur Radio Week for the city.

“I wanted to recognize a group of volunteers that only get attention during emergencies,” said Marchione later by phone. “I hope to encourage other residents to volunteer their gifts and talents for the benefit of our community.”

Besides the national competition, there are three amateur radio groups that meet monthly to practice and talk about their hobby: MicroHAMS, Redmond Top Key Contest Club and the City of Redmond’s Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES).

MicroHAMS is open to current and former Microsoft employees, contractors, interns or joint venture partners.

The other two clubs are open to anyone, but the Top Key Contest Club emphasizes Morse code competitions.

The FCC requires amateur emergency radio operators to pass a certification test, and they are also required to provide their own equipment.

Equipment can range in price from $250 to $10,000, Gorman said.

Kaitlin Strohschein is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.