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Field Day is the largest annual on-air operating event in amateur radio. Organized by the ARRL in the United States and by similar national societies in other countries, Field Day combines emergency communications preparedness with competitive operating and community fun. Each year, thousands of amateur radio groups set up temporary stations in parks, fields, parking lots, and other outdoor locations, then spend 24 hours making as many contacts as possible using portable equipment and emergency power.
Field Day serves several important purposes:
Emergency preparedness. The core idea behind Field Day is to practice setting up and operating amateur radio stations under conditions that simulate an emergency — away from home, using temporary antennas, and running on generators, batteries, or solar power rather than the commercial mains. This practice is directly relevant to the role amateur radio plays in disaster communications, when normal infrastructure may be unavailable.
Public demonstration. Field Day is one of the most visible amateur radio events of the year. Many groups set up in public parks and invite the community to visit, learn about amateur radio, and even make contacts on the air. It is an excellent opportunity for public outreach and recruiting new operators.
Skill building. Operating portable stations challenges participants to work with antennas erected in unfamiliar locations, manage power budgets, deal with interference from nearby stations, and coordinate a group effort over a sustained period. These are practical skills that transfer directly to emergency communications and general operating proficiency.
Fun and camaraderie. Above all, Field Day is a social event. Clubs and groups come together for a weekend of shared activity, food, conversation, and friendly competition. It is often described as one of the most enjoyable experiences in amateur radio.
In the United States and Canada, ARRL Field Day is held annually on the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC on Saturday and running for 24 hours until 1800 UTC on Sunday. This places it near the summer solstice, when daylight hours are longest and outdoor operating conditions are generally favourable.
Other countries hold their own Field Day events at different times of the year. For example, the RSGB in the United Kingdom holds its National Field Day in June as well, while Australia's WIA holds field day events at various times suited to the southern hemisphere calendar.
ARRL Field Day uses a system of entry categories that define the nature of the station. The most common categories include:
Each entry is identified by its number of simultaneous transmitters and its class. For example, "3A" means a Class A station with three transmitters operating simultaneously.
Points are earned for each contact made during the 24-hour period. Different modes earn different point values — CW (Morse code) and digital contacts are worth more points than phone (voice) contacts, reflecting the additional skill involved. Bonus points are available for a variety of activities, including operating on emergency power, public outreach, operating from a public location, making a satellite contact, submitting logs electronically, and having elected officials visit the site.
Field Day contacts can be made on all amateur bands from 160 metres (1.8 MHz) through 23 centimetres (1.2 GHz), as well as via amateur satellites. All modes are permitted, including SSB, CW, FM, and digital modes such as FT8, FT4, RTTY, and PSK31. Most Field Day groups operate on multiple bands simultaneously to maximize their contact totals.
The information exchanged during a Field Day contact is simple: each station sends its entry class and ARRL/RAC section (a geographic designator). For example, a station in New England with two transmitters on emergency power might send "2A ENE."
A typical Field Day setup involves several key elements:
Site selection. Groups look for open areas with room for multiple antennas, access for vehicles, and ideally some amenities such as shade, water, and restroom facilities. Public parks, fairgrounds, school grounds, and church properties are popular choices.
Antennas. Since Field Day stations are temporary, antennas must be portable and quick to erect. Common choices include wire dipoles hung from trees or portable masts, vertical antennas, ground-mounted beams, and wire loops. Creative antenna solutions are part of the Field Day tradition.
Power. Class A and B stations must operate on emergency power. Portable generators are the most common choice, though battery banks and solar panels are increasingly popular. Managing fuel, noise, and power distribution is an important part of the logistics.
Stations. Each operating position typically consists of a transceiver, power supply or battery, antenna tuner, headphones, and a computer or paper logs for recording contacts. The number of simultaneous operating positions depends on the group's entry class.
Shelter. Depending on the weather and the group's resources, stations may operate from tents, canopies, trailers, or simply under the open sky.
Food and comfort. Since Field Day runs for 24 hours, groups typically organize meals, snacks, and beverages. The quality of the food is a point of pride for many Field Day groups.
While ARRL Field Day is the best-known event, amateur radio societies in many countries run similar outdoor operating events:
The underlying concept — practising portable operation and emergency communications while having fun — is universal across all of these events.
The easiest way to participate in Field Day is to find a local club or group that is planning a Field Day station and ask to join. Most groups welcome visitors and helpers, and no license is required to assist with antenna setup, logging, cooking, or other support tasks. Licensed operators can take turns at the operating positions, and newcomers can often make their first contacts under the guidance of experienced operators.
If you prefer to operate on your own, the Class B, D, and E categories accommodate individual or small-group participation from portable or home locations. ARRL Field Day is open to all amateurs in the US and Canada, and many stations are happy to exchange contacts with international participants as well.
The ARRL publishes Field Day rules, scoring information, and resources on its website each year. Logs are submitted online, and results are published in QST and on the ARRL website.