On the fourth weekend of June, more than 40,000 amateur radio operators (hams) throughout North America set up temporary transmitting with their clubs, groups, friends or individually to operate from remote locations. The purpose is to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933 and remains the most popular event in ham radio.
Field Day is a picnic, a campout, practice for emergencies, an informal contest
and, most of all, FUN!
It is a time where many aspects of Amateur Radio come together to highlight our roles. While some will treat it as a contest, other groups use the opportunity to practice their emergency response capabilities. It is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate Amateur Radio to the organizations that Amateur Radio might serve in an emergency, as well as the general public. For many clubs, ARRL Field Day is one of the highlights of their annual calendar.
The contest part is simply to contact as many other stations as possible and to learn to operate our radio gear in abnormal situations and less than optimal conditions.
Amateur Radio operators use these same skills when they help with events such as marathons and bike-a-thons; fund-raisers such as walka-thons;
celebrations such as parades; and exhibits at fairs, malls and museums — these are all large, preplanned, non-emergency activities.
But despite the development of very complex, modern communications systems — or maybe because they ARE so complex — ham radio has been called into action, again and again, to provide communications in crises when it really matters. Amateur Radio people (also called “hams”) are well known for our communications support in a real disaster and post-disaster situations such as recently deployed after the devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico.
Where to find local Field Day Activities in Anne Arundel County
Davidsonville, MD
Davidsonville Family Recreation Center
3789 Queen Anne Bridge Road
Davidsonville, MD 21035
Contact: Keith Miller, AE3D
Talk-In: 147.105+/107.2
www.W3VPR.org
Pasadena, MD
Downs Park Youth Camping Area
Sponsor: Maryland Mobileers Radio Club (W3CU)
GOTA: No
Talk-In: 146.805- / 107.2
Contact: Ross Sorci
443-510-0755
W2OK@arrl.net
https://sites.google.com/site/marylandmobileers/field-day/mmarc-field-day