Local amateur radio operators are going through a two-day exercise in emergency preparedness at the Niskayuna Scoccer field.

The exercise is designed to simulate a situation where traditional communication services aren't working. Radio operators have 24 hours to contact as many other users as possible.

Organizers tell us the use of a radio during a disaster is vital due to the amount of traffic cell towers experience. Some of the radio operators even put their skills to use after recent natural disasters.

"We provided communications for Puerto Rico, the disaster there,” said Schenectady Amateur Radio Association Treasurer Tim Long. “Lots of health and welfare messages, red cross type messages, send lots of logistics messages, send supplies, send water, send generators, send food, send you name it."

The local gathering is part of a nationwide event by the National Associaton for Amateur Radio.