By: Donald De Riggs -J88CD (Edited by Admin)
YARA members, including President Jas Codrington (first from the right), J88CJ, making international contact via ham radio during WARD 2026.
World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) is celebrated on April 18, marking the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) in Paris, France, in 1925. On the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), the Youlou Amateur Radio Association (YARA) commemorated WARD 2026 with several field activities, including a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation at Chatoyer National Park in Rabacca.
A group of YARA members gathered at Chatoyer National Park on Sunday, April 19, and by 10:30 a.m., had a portable HF station up and running. The team then split into two groups: one remained at the park, while the other traveled to Fancy to repair a vital amateur radio station—the only means of wireless communication in that part of the island. The antenna was successfully repaired, and a new power supply was installed to replace a depleted battery at the home of the lone active radio operator in Fancy, Elna Michael, J88NEK, former principal of the Fancy Government School.
During the testing phase, the Fancy station successfully communicated with the portable station in Rabacca. Following this, the repair team continued on to Owia, where another portable station was set up at the Owia Playing Field, and a new antenna configuration was tested. Reports from Fancy described the Owia station’s signals as “loud and clear,” with similar feedback received from the Rabacca field station. The roving team then returned to Rabacca, where all participants gathered for refreshments hosted by YARA President, Jas Codrington.
Using a vertical antenna and battery-operated equipment, Sean Patterson conducted a POTA activation. POTA and Summits on the Air (SOTA) are among the most engaging outdoor activities enjoyed by amateur radio operators. These programs not only encourage operators to explore the outdoors but also serve as practical training exercises for operating in rugged environments using portable, low-power equipment and efficient antenna systems. Such activities are particularly valuable in preparing operators for post-disaster scenarios, where reliable communication is critical.
The outing also featured a demonstration of drone technology. Drones have become an effective tool in post-disaster rescue and recovery operations, as they can be deployed to survey landslides, assess structural damage, and access areas that are otherwise unreachable or unsafe for responders.
The next activity planned by YARA is the servicing of the VHF repeater site in Bequia, scheduled for May 1. Later in the month, YARA will conduct its annual pre-hurricane season drill to ensure all members are prepared and operationally ready for the 2026 storm season.