ARRL Field Day

The premier ham radio event


Field Day is a ham radio institution. It actually is an emergency readiness drill. Hams set up portable stations usually in fields or public parks with emergency power. We make contacts with other stations under emergency conditions.

Over the years, it has grown into more. Today, it's also a time for friends and making new ones. A time to picnic and enjoy the great outdoors. A time for teamwork and a time to forget the daily grind. But most importantly, it's a time for fun!


My friends Deb, N2TTP, and Aaron, KB2TJT, working one station after another. Look at those smiles, they are having a blast!


In 1996, I spent Field Day in the beautiful Skylands region of Northwest New Jersey with the Sussex County Amateur Radio Club at Sussex County College in Newton, NJ. We had a gorgeous site, way up top of a hill.

Note our flagpole. It's also an antenna! A 40 meter quad.


Field Day is a time for friends and food. A shy Deb, N2TTP, chats up a storm with Louie, K2YHY, as some club members discuss strategy at the communications van for the 10m novice station --- Hey guys? I think we need to put up the antenna(at left)! :-)


Hey! Where is everybody? :-)

Ah, this is my time! 4 AM running the 80m station. Peaceful and beautiful!

While the tents are obscured by the darkness, the 6m beam is on the first tower, followed by the 10m, and the 20m. The 'fuzzy wire' on right is the 80m zepp, and, of course, the 40m quad/flagpole is quite visible at dawn. The 15m beam is out of the picture on the right


Field Day is the 4th full weekend in June. Most active hams look to participate in some way. If you're a ham and haven't been to Field Day, you are missing something special. Join up with your local club or just go visit one nearby. Most will be happy to have the additional help!

If you are not a ham, you are invited come see what it's all about. One purpose Field Day serves is to demonstrate ham radio to the public. This is why ARRL offers us a bonus if we operate in a public place and encourages us to have a visitor/information booth and sign-in log. I personally know several hams today that were only visitors to Field Day a few years ago.

In June, you will see public advertisements for Field Day. No, not on NBC! but on local cable TV systems, newspapers, flyers, even local radio news. Take the info, and check it out! OR find your local club at the ARRL web page to call and inquire.