UTICA, N.Y. -- The airwaves are busy this weekend as Amateur Radio week wraps up. All across the nation, ham radio operators are communicating with each other using alternative power sources.

One of those operations was set up in the Utica Zoo. The Central New York Amateur Radio Association went on air at 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon and will remain in communication for 24 hours. They will be testing to see who and how far they can reach.

The team chose the Zoo as their base of operations because of its elevated location. These field tests are essential to help prepare for a natural disaster.

"Should some sort of natural disaster occur here in the area, the local clubs would come out, set up in remote areas, set up communications centers, and we'd be assisting the Red Cross, the local law enforcement, EMS services, whoever would need us,” said Dick Brough, Central New York Amateur Radio Association.

For more information on amateur radio you can visit the clubs website at www.CNYARA.com