Field Day is an annual amateur radio exercise that encourages emergency communications preparedness. In the United States, it is typically the largest single emergency preparedness exercise in the country with over 30,000 ham radio operators participating each year.
Since the first ARRL Field Day in 1933, Amateur radio operators 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 each participant's operations, there is an integrated contesting component and many clubs also engage in associated fun activities of camping out and having cookouts for the participants. Operations are typically for a continuous 24 hours requiring the scheduling of relief operators to keep the stations going through the night. Additional contest points are awarded for such things as experimenting with unusual modes, making contacts through space satellites and involving youth in the activity.
The American Radio Relay League Field Day is held annually the fourth full weekend in June. Field Day is open to all Amateur Radio operators, and visitors are always welcome.
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