UTICA - The Utica Zoo is playing host to radio enthusiasts. Over a 24 hour period, a lot will be going on between the exhibits.

When a natural disaster strikes, it's amateur radio operators who help emergency officials communicate with one another but that's not the only reason why these "ham operators" enjoy talking on the radio.

Terry Grimes is a retired truck driver turned ham operator. He says talking on the radio allows him to meet people from all walks of life.

"You're able to talk to people all over the world," says Grimes.

Grimes and other ham operators are taking over utica this weekend to make contact with people around the country,the world and even out of this world!

"Hopefully we'll be able to make contact with the international space station over the weekend," says Dick Brough, President of the CNY Amateur Radio Association.

Experience for some shows that the cloudier the sky, the better the contact.
Rain or shine, these amateur radio operators will be in for the long-haul, building more friendships over the radio airwaves.