Field day
From Megawiki
Field day is a test of an Amateur radio operator's ability to operate in an emergency situation and provide communications under adverse conditions, but it is also a chance for fine-tuning emergency communications skills. Using generators and battery power, and setting up antennas in the field. The idea is to put together a self-sufficient, working station quickly and making contacts in a 24-hour period. this is training for emergency communications during floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and other major disasters.
Field day is a contest sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). ARRL is an organization based in Newington CT. representing Amateur Radio members all over North America. Field day contest starts on the last full weekend of June each Year.
During the contest, each contact that has been made to another radio station counts for points. Bonus points can be collected by communication with certain Field day stations and receiving certain messages from the ARRL headquarters simulating emergency messages. Other bonus points can be collected by using Solar, Windmill, or Water powered generators to power the radio equipment.
Field Day is intended as a public event and so the public is always invited to attend. Field day is a great way for people interested in Ham Radio to get a chance to see what it's all about. The first Field day took place in 1933, the Racine Megacycle Club has participated in Field day ever since it was first affiliated with the American Radio Relay League in 1948.
