Amateur radio operators across the country are taking part in the annual Field Day event this weekend.

The goal is to test emergency communications using short-wave or HAM radios.

The century-old hobby has proven to be the most reliable way to communicate during emergencies.

"It's just amazing to be able to pick up a phone and call someone in New York and you can patch them through on the radio to someone in Puerto Rico and you can just hear the love that the person's alive," says Dennis Boye, of Syosset.

The two clubs on Long Island have been exchanging messages all night long and won't stop until 2 p.m.