Field Day

Field Day is the name of several different amateur radio contests. The rules of the contests vary, but most encourage the use of radio equipment outside of permanent buildings and using electricity other than conventional mains. Field Days have several purposes, differing in importance depending on the geographical area:

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• Emergency preparedness
• Recruitment of new radio amateurs
• Displaying ham radio to the general public

Unlike most other contests, Field Day is rarely a single-man operation. In fact, Field Day is frequently used to attract significant publicity to what ham radio is about. Some clubs will demonstrate a wide range of technologies, including single sideband voice, Morse code, and a number of digital modes including APRS, packet radio, as well as satellite communications.

Related Topics:
Publicity - Single sideband - Morse code - APRS - Packet radio - Satellite

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The most well-known Field Day is probably the ARRL Field Day, which is conducted by the ARRL the fourth full weekend every June. Other Field Days include IARU Region 1 Field Day.

Related Topics:
ARRL - June - IARU Region 1 Field Day

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ARRL Field Day stresses emergency preparedness. Frequently, entire radio clubs get involved, and take "Field" Day literally, erecting numerous radio masts and towers, each bearing several antennas, in a field. Generators provide power to ham radio transceivers.

Related Topics:
Clubs - Radio masts and towers - Antenna - Generators - Transceiver

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The goal of ARRL Field Day is to work, or contact, as many stations as possible throughout the 24-hour duration of Field Day. The Field Day is one's callsign, along with the number of stations in simultaneous operation, followed by a letter (A-F) designating the method in which the stations are being powered, such as by generator, solar power, or conventional mains AC.

Related Topics:
Generator - Solar power - Mains - AC

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