During the last full weekend of June, Amateur Radio operators across the country will leave the comfort of their home-based radio "shacks" for a weekend of emergency preparedness activity called "Field Day." The event is designed to test operators' skills in setting up and operating radio communication equipment in situations where electrical power is limited or unavailable. The idea is to simulate the conditions that can occur during a hurricane, tornado or other emergency, including man-made disasters. The event is sponsored by ARRL --the national association for Amateur Radio. The first Field Day took place in 1933.

During Field Day, operators set up radio transmitting and receiving equipment in local parks, at shopping malls or even in backyards, and get on the air using generators, battery or solar power to run their equipment. This type of exercise, along with the operators' dedication to public service, allows them to step in and help emergency officials and relief organizations when disaster strikes. Cell phones, the Internet and other communications technologies have yet to replace what Amateur Radio operators can do. They have a long track record of getting the message through when all other systems fail.

Recently, Amateur Radio operators along the Gulf Coast assisted local government and relief agencies with communications during the recent tropical events.. They also stepped up to volunteer when other methods of communication failed. Amateur Radio operators in New York, Washington, DC, and Western Pennsylvania are still being praised for their efforts in the wake of September 11.

Field Day is a serious exercise, but it's also a lot of fun for participants. In past years, more than 30,000 Amateur Radio operators in the United States and Canada have taken part. Today there are more than 680,000 Amateur Radio operators in the United States and more than 2.5 million worldwide.

Field Day Pictures: [ 1954 ] [ 1979 ] [ 2001 ] [ 2004 ] [ 2007 ]

2006 FiIELD DAY RESULTS

SCORE: 5,158
CATEGORY: 2A
QSQ: 1,244
POWER MULT: 2
GOTA CALL SIGN: 5LSU
PARTICIPANTS: 40

Last Update: December 14, 2007
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