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Field Day is an annual amateur radio exercise, widely sponsored by IARU regions and member organizations,
encouraging emergency communications preparedness among amateur radio operators. In the United States,
it is typically the largest single emergency preparedness exercise in the country, with over 30,000
operators participating each year.
Since the first ARRL Field Day in 1933, radio amateurs throughout the United States have practiced the
rapid deployment of radio communications equipment in environments ranging from operations under tents
in remote areas to operations inside Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs). Operations using emergency
and alternative power sources are highly encouraged, since electricity and other public infrastructures
are often among the first to fail during a natural disaster or severe weather.
To determine the effectiveness of the exercise and of each participant's operations, there is an
integrated contesting component, and many clubs also engage in concurrent leisure activities
(camping out, cookouts, etc.). Operations typically last a continuous twenty-four hours, requiring
scheduled relief operators to keep stations on the air. Additional contest points are awarded for
experimenting with unusual modes, making contacts via satellite, and involving youth in the activity.
Field Day with the LaGrange Amateur Radio Club is a big event. While the developing fellowship among the club members
is by far the most part of Field Day, we do partipate in the Field Day contest. We usually set up a five station
operating site, with all associated antennas and transceivers.
The Field Day site is at the home of Richard, KE4YCY. The location of Richard's home is shown to the right.
Drive north on Franklin Road (US27). Approximately 2.3 miles north of traffic light at Wares Crossroads,
make a U Turn to head south at Ringer Access Road. Approximately 0.1 miles south, at the second drive way,
turn right up the steep hill. There should be a banner indicating that a Field Day activity is underway.
The high point of the event is the annual Field Day cook out starting at about 5 PM, and lasting until everyone is full.
The activities begin on Friday afternoon with the raising of the antennas into the trees surrounding Richard's garage.
The actual contesting begins at 1800 UTC (2 PM) on Saturday, and ends at 1800 UTC on Sunday. Most people go home after
dark to sleep in their beds, but several people camp out in the yard around the operating site and continue to
operate all night. Each club member is free to operate and much or as little as they wish. The important thing
is to have fun. Any club member can operator any transmitter regardless of their license class, or whether or not they
even have a ham license. This way all can try their hand at operating in the contest
Field Day this year is scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 27 at 2 PM. See you there!
2009 Field Day Rules
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