Field Day 2026

June 27-28, 2026

Hobby Park, Winston-Salem

Field Day, which is held on the fourth full weekend of June, is quickly approaching. New club members may ask, “What is Field Day?” According to the ARRL, Field Day is: “one-part contest, one-part emergency communications exercise, and one-part open house — and a great time.”

It is so much more than that. FD gives us the opportunity to work, mingle and bond with some of the finest individuals in the world, our fellow club members.

FD is not a one-weekend event. Running 8A (8 HF transceivers on emergency power) along with all the activities leading up to the event takes a lot of planning and effort. Each year brings its own challenges.

This year we are replacing our hex beam antenna. The club has purchased a used antenna last year and refurbished it. It worked really well last year and will be the main sky hook again this year.

The club is now a proud owner of a 2023 7’ x 14’ two axle cargo trailer. Shelves have been installed and the equipment can be secured. Having the trailer and equipment all loaded will certainly simplify setup and tear down this year.

And there are the regular activities. Some of those include preparing individual station equipment, and standardizing computer programs. Our food committee plans out the menu, purchases and prepares the food. No small task!

For those who like working social media, articles need to be released to radio, newspapers, Facebook and other web sites.

Then there is Field Day weekend. It starts Thursday night by tossing lines over trees that will be used to hoist antennas. We employ state-of-the-art “potato guns”. Anyone want to try their marksmanship?

Friday is an all-day affair where we assemble and raise antennas, set up generators, run coax and a host of other jobs. Saturday morning, we set up the radios and prepare to operate.

Field Day starts at 14:00 Saturday (local time) and runs through 14:00 Sunday. Newly licensed operators and seasoned ones can enjoy operating outdoors. There is a great picnic on Saturday afternoon and snacking all event long.

Tofe Evans said, “What you put in is what you get out.” I believe he was referring to Newton’s third law of motion. This applies to most things in life. To all our members, I say get involved. It is a lot of fun. You increase your skills and knowledge. But most importantly, you get to know fellow club members.

Become Radio-Active!