Field Day

Field Day is the big club event held annually on the fourth full weekend in June. Sponsored by the ARRL, it is an on-the-air event that helps promote amateur radio operation in conditions that are less than ideal, in an attempt to bring awareness to emergency preparation. Stations set up and operate for a 24 hour period beginning at 1800 UTC (2pm local time) on Saturday.

In the age of information, with almost ubiquitous access to the Internet, amateur radio has been long neglected as a reliable form of communication. In the event of a natural disaster, modern communications systems may be found unreliable or even inoperable. However, amateur radio is still able to function even if other methods of communication are unavailable.

Field Day gives amateurs a chance to practice operating in conditions similar to those when emergency communications are deployed. While this is an operating event, it also serves as an outreach event showcasing how communications are possible even when modern technology fails.

WAARC’s Field Day operations take place at Little Creek Reservoir Park, at 180 Lakeview Rd in Toano. It is James City County’s least used public park facility, making it ideal for our weekend operation. Click here for directions to the Field Day site.