Field Day

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This article is about amateur radio operating events. For other definitions of 'field day' see: Wiktionary entry on 'have a field day'. For the outdoor trade show, see agricultural show. For the school event, see Sports Day.

Solar-powered Amateur Radio Station in tents. Note the portable VHF/UHF Satellite and HF antennas in the background

Field Day is an annual amateur radio exercise sponsored by the American Radio Relay League which encourages emergency communications preparedness.

Since the first Field Day in 1933, Amateur radio operators throughout the United States have practiced the rapid deployment of radio communications equipment in environments ranging from operations under tents in remote areas to operations inside Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs). Operations using emergency and alternative power sources are highly encouraged, since electricity and other public infrastructures are often among the first to fail during a natural disaster or severe weather.

To determine the effectiveness of the exercise and each participant's operations, there is an integrated contesting component.

In the Western Hemisphere the ARRL Field Day is held annually the fourth full weekend in June. The IARU Region 1 sponsors an Amateur Radio Field Day for Europe , and other national Amateur Radio societies sponsor them in other countries.

1 Activity and rules
2 Emergency preparedness
3 Promotion of amateur radio
4 External links

[edit] Activity and rules

The goal of a Field Day operating event is to contact as many stations as possible in a given time period (for example, 24 hours during a weekend). Each station will exchange information with other participating stations. A typical exchange includes the station call sign, the station location, the number of transmitters concurrently used at the station and information about the type of electrical power source being used.

[edit] Emergency preparedness

Field Day stresses emergency preparedness. Frequently, entire radio clubs get involved and assemble a portable radio station in a field or park. Some might use quickly deployable portable antennas while other might erect more elaborate radio masts and towers supporting several antennas. Generators or solar power provide electricity to amateur radio transceivers, which may be located in tents, recreational vehicles, or other portable shelters.

[edit] Promotion of amateur radio

Field Day is frequently used to attract significant publicity for amateur radio, and some clubs will demonstrate a wide range of technologies, including single sideband voice, Morse code, and digital modes such as APRS or packet radio, and satellite communications.