Using a small generator with enough power to operate an oven, and seven antennas mounted into the ground resembling something out of a bad science fiction movie, the Cal Poly Amateur Radio Club (CPARC) contacted hundreds of other radio operators in the United States and Canada as part of a national contest.

About 35,000 amateur radio operators throughout North America participated in the annual American Radio Relay League's (sic) Field Day.

The contest was to see who could sucessfully set up field communications and make the most radio contacts within a 24-hour period. However, the real purpose of the event was to practice emergency communication skills.

"We aren't out to win the contest," said David Fichou, a computer science graduate and club alumni. "There are people out there with better equipment who will win. We are here for the practice."

Part of the contest rules were to use only emergeney equipment such as generators, battery-powered equipment and portable antennas. CPARC camped out at San Antonio Lake, and began assembling its field station on Friday at the visitor's center. It took almost four hours before all the equipment was up and running.

: The contest began Saturday at 11 a.m. Fifteen CPARC members and alumni took turns making radio contacts with two radio recelvers. Within the first two hours of the contest, 150 stations had been contacted.

"I'm hoping we make 1.000 contacts by the end of the 24 hours, but realistically we'll probably make about 750," said Dean Wood, an electrical engineering senior. "Our focus is North America but we have reached places as far as Europe, Asia and Japan in past contests."

By Sunday, the club had surpassed its goal, making more than 1,100 contacts. The contest winner last year made about 6,000 contacts and Wood said that's about the number of contacts that this year's winner is expected to make. The contest results will be known in November.

Club members say in gaod conditions they can send out a signal in the North and receive it back from the South after having traveled around the world.

Wood said the most important part about making contacts is recording accurate information. Whenever a contact is made, the radio operator must write down four things: what city was contacted, what kind of power the operator was using, how many transmitters were simultaneously operating and its call sign. This is called the signal report and English is the standard language for transmitting it.

"There are a lot of people and noise on the air so we need to be accurate and proficient in handling emergency traffic," Wood said. "It's a fast pace situation and being on the air helps us fine-tune our skills."

The club has been able to use its emergency skills on several occasions including the Highway 41 fire and Loma Prieta earthquake.

"The club is a means for the public to convey information to family members during emergencies. We support public safety communications," Wood said.

The club also provides communications for local events like parades, Diablo Canyon testing and last year's Wildflower festival.

CPARC began at Cal Poly in 1947 and received its call sign, W6BHZ, in 1948. The club currently has 25 members, many of whom took an interest in radio while still in high school.

Mark Smith, computer engineering senior, drove over 200 miles to participate in the event. He's currently working at an internship in the Bay Area and said it's his fourth time competing in the Field Day.

"I like to camp and be a radio nerd, that's why I do it," Smith said.

Next year, members and club alumni will come together to celebrate CPARC's 50th anniversary during Spring Open House. To become a club member, students must obtain an amateur radio operator's license. The club has offered classes in the past to help students pass the test.