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| Field Day (Amateur radio) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Field Day (Amateur radio) |
| Caption | Amateur radio Field Day station setup |
| Date | Last full weekend of June (United States and Canada) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Participants | Amateur radio operators, clubs, emergency groups |
| Organized by | American Radio Relay League |
Field Day (Amateur radio) is an annual amateur radio exercise held near the last weekend of June that tests Amateur radio station preparedness, Emergency Communications, and operating proficiency. Originating in the United States and endorsed by the American Radio Relay League and mirrored by organizations such as the Radio Society of Great Britain and the Royal Canadian Amateur Radio Society, Field Day blends public demonstration with realistic emergency-emergency communications exercises. Participants include local Amateur Radio Emergency Service, ARRL Field Organization volunteers, university clubs, National Association for Amateur Radio (example) and military-affiliated amateur groups.
Field Day traces roots to early 20th-century Amateur radio contests and preparedness events promoted by the American Radio Relay League following disasters like the 1927 Floods and the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Field Day evolved alongside developments at institutions such as the Bell Laboratories and in response to wartime communications needs exemplified by the Civilian Defense initiatives and collaborations with the Red Cross. Post-war growth saw coordination with organizations including the Federal Communications Commission and local Amateur radio clubs such as the Boston Amateur Radio Club and the Radio Club of America. International iterations were later adopted by societies such as the Radio Society of Great Britain and the Canadian Radio Relay League.
Field Day serves multiple objectives: to exercise rapid-deployment skills emphasized by the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, to demonstrate amateur capabilities to officials from bodies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, and to train operators in techniques pioneered at institutions such as MIT and Stanford University. It promotes interoperability with groups including the American Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol, and local Emergency Management Agency offices while fostering public outreach akin to exhibitions by the Smithsonian Institution and demonstrations held at venues like the National Mall.
The event is coordinated nationally by the American Radio Relay League which publishes specific rules each year influenced by precedents set by contests organized by the ARRL New England Division and international bodies such as the International Amateur Radio Union. Local Amateur radio clubs register Field Day operations and adhere to submission protocols mirroring procedures used by the Radio Society of Great Britain contest committees. Rules cover station classification, emergency power requirements, logging formats derived from standards used by the ARRL Contest Program, and public information guidelines consistent with outreach practices of institutions like the National Institutes of Health when engaging communities.
Operators choose categories reflecting resources and capabilities, similar to classifications used in events by the CQ Amateur Radio organization and the IARU. Categories include single-operator, multi-operator, portable, and mobile entries, often paralleling setups used by ARRL Field Organization emergency drills. Modes employed encompass Morse code (CW), Amplitude Modulation, Single Sideband, digital modes such as PSK31, FT8, and satellite operations using links comparable to those conducted by the AMSAT community.
Scoring awards emphasize contacts, emergency power use, and public information activities, a system reminiscent of point structures in contests run by CQ Magazine and regional bodies like the ARRL Southeastern Division. Bonus points reward coordination with agencies such as the American Red Cross, participation by elected officials from bodies like the United States House of Representatives or City Council members, and the accomplishment of outreach metrics similar to exhibits at institutions such as the Museum of Science and Industry.
Field Day stations deploy antennas, transceivers, and power systems comparable to those used in deployments by Amateur Radio Emergency Service teams and military-affiliated amateur units. Typical gear includes portable HF transceivers from manufacturers with histories tied to ICOM, Yaesu, and Kenwood, batteries and generators similar to emergency power systems used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and antennas such as dipoles, verticals, and beam arrays modeled on designs published in QST and technical papers from ARRL Publications.
Safety protocols during Field Day echo standards practiced by Occupational Safety and Health Administration and emergency responders like the American Red Cross and Civil Air Patrol. Operators implement grounding, RF exposure mitigation, and generator safety measures informed by guidelines from the Federal Communications Commission and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Emergency communications drills coordinate with organizations like the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, local Emergency Management Agency offices, and disaster-relief partners.
Participation spans local Amateur radio clubs, university teams such as those affiliated with Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California, Berkeley, military-affiliated groups, and international societies including the Radio Society of Great Britain and the Royal Canadian Amateur Radio Society. Notable Field Day milestones include mass-participation records logged by large clubs like the Fresno Amateur Radio Club and publicity events featuring elected officials from bodies such as the United States Congress and local Mayors, as well as demonstrations held in collaboration with disaster-response exercises led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross.
Category:Amateur radio events