Anonym1ty's Journal: Field Day 2005 - Racine, WI

The Racine Megacycle Club, W9UDU
http://www.w9udu.org/

Amateur Radio Field Day
June 25th & 26th 2005

The Racine Megacycle Club Field Day is an annual exercise carried out by Amateur Radio operators to give ham radio ops experience setting up radio stations under emergency conditions. The object is to contact as many other stations as possible during 24 hours. The Public is Invited to Attend. June 25th & 26th from noon till noon (24 hrs) at Pritchard Park in Racine at the corner of Hwy 11 adn Ohio Street.

Click Here For Driving Directions

For a closeup area map click here

Amateur Radio Operator Recognition Day
June 25, 2005

Proclaimed by Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, this day is intended to recognize Amateur Radio Operators in the State of Wisconsin for their efforts in providing communication support for community and public service events to help ensure the safety of all attendees, participants and observers; and disaster preparedness.

View a copy of the proclamation here

What is Field Day?

Field Day is a test of an amateur radio operator's ability to operate in an emergency situation and provide communications under adverse conditions, but it is also a chance for fine-tuning emergency communications skills. Using generators and battery power, and setting up antennas in the field. The idea is to put together a self-sufficient, working station quickly and making contacts in a 24 Hr period. this is training for emergency communications during floods, Hurricanes, fires, Earthquakes and other major disasters.

Field Day is a contest sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). ARRL is an Organization based in Newington CT. representing Amateur Radio members all over North America. Field Day contest starts on the last full weekend of June each Year.

During the contest, each contact that has been made to another radio station counts for points. Bonus points can be collected by communication with certain Field Day stations and receiving certain messages from the ARRL headquarters simulating emergency messages. Other bonus points can be collected by using Solar, Windmill, or Water powered generators to power the radio equipment.

Field Day is intended as a public event and so the public is always invited to attend. Field Day is a great way for people interested in Ham Radio to get a chance to see what it's all about. The first Field Day took place in 1933, the Racine Megacycle Club has participated in Field Day ever since it was first affiliated with the American Radio Relay League in 1948.