Editor’s Comments

One of the biggest “faults” I have in reference to ham radio, if you can call it a “fault”, is Field Day.  The first event I attended after I joined the Kent County Amateur Radio Club in 1991 was Field Day.  I learned a lot from the members back then including antennas, feed lines, and just operating in general.  I got to operate on frequencies I normally would not be allowed and it spurred my interest and drive to upgrade so I could operate on those frequencies.  I used equipment that I had only dreamed about and had an absolute ball!

Field Day has changed quite a bit since that first one in 1933 and the original purpose that F.E. Handy, W1BDI (SK), had in mind has changed quite a bit over the years.  As interest in the hobby and the improvements in technology has changed amateur radio in general, so has the purpose of Field Day.  What was originally looked at as a purely an emergency communications exercise has now become a multi-function activity.  Even though it still holds most of its “emcomm” purpose, it has now become a contest, a social event (usually with a tasty picnic), a public service demonstration, and of course, a chance to learn and try something new.

Field Day keeps its “emcomm” aspect through the “bonus points” that are attainable.  Emergency power, public location, natural power, message handling, are all parts of the “emcomm” focus of Field Day.  This is what Mr. Handy had in mind, a showing of the importance of amateur radio in time of infrastructure failure. The “points”, or contest, aspect of Field Day helps show the efficiency and effectiveness of the set up, the thinking being that a station that makes 1000 contacts will be much more effective than one that only makes 50.  The twenty-four hour period gives a chance to show constant operation and shift changes needed to staff an emergency operation.  Field Day gives emergency coordinators and State and County emergency Managers a view of volunteer resources they might need to call upon in some rare instance.  That is also the reason there are bonus points for visitation by a “served agency official” and an “elected government official”.  And copying the ARRL Field Day bulletin shows the station can receive important information that might need to be sent out during the situation.

But Field Day also gives people a chance to work with each other in the group towards a common goal.  This is an important part of amateur radio, learning different things about the hobby and seeing what works and what doesn’t hold one’s interest.  Field Day is invaluable to new hams because of the loads of knowledge available and a chance to try something new.  KCARC Field Day will be held on June 28 – 29, with set up starting on the evening of Thursday June 26.  Come to the club meetings in May and June for plans as the dates get closer and come to the April meeting to hear where we are now, and ask any questions you may have.  Hope to see you there.