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📡 ARRL Field Day & Winter Field Day

Written by Don Locke on August 11, 2025

ARRL Field Day and Winter Field Day are two of our club’s biggest and most anticipated events each year. These weekends are all about radio, community, and fun—whether you’re making contacts across the globe or just stopping by to see what amateur radio is all about.


What to Expect

Many of us camp out for the entire weekend, staying up late into the night to make as many contacts as possible. You’re welcome to:

  • Stay for the whole weekend
  • Join us for a few hours
  • Just drop by and say hello

If you’re curious about amateur radio, this is one of the best times to visit. We’ll show you how everything works, explain the different modes of communication, and even help you get on the air—no license required (we’ll guide you through operating under a licensed control operator).


ARRL Field Day

ARRL Field Day is often called ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 31,000 amateur radio operators across North America set up temporary transmitting stations in parks, fields, and other public spaces to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill, and service.

Field Day combines:

  • Public service – Practicing communication skills for emergencies
  • Emergency preparedness – Operating in temporary setups without relying on the power grid
  • Community outreach – Introducing the public to amateur radio
  • Technical skills – Setting up antennas, radios, and logging systems in the field

This tradition has been going strong since 1933, making it the most popular event in amateur radio.

📖 Learn more: ARRL Field Day Website


Winter Field Day

Winter Field Day takes place on the last full weekend of January and brings an extra layer of challenge—and excitement—to field operations. Hosted by the Winter Field Day Association, it encourages hams to practice portable communications in cold-weather conditions.

Why winter? Because snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and other hazards pose unique operational challenges that are worth preparing for. Whether you operate solo, with a friend, or as part of our club’s group station, Winter Field Day is a great test of skill and teamwork.

📖 Learn more: Winter Field Day Website


Join Us

Whether it’s sunny in June or snowing in January, Field Day is about learning, experimenting, and connecting—both on the air and with each other. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your appetite for radio adventure. We’ll provide the radios, the antennas, and the welcoming atmosphere.

Contact us

2025 SWI-ARC - Made With Astro and Postivus by Don Locke  Credits ( Manul, Olga, Esteban) & Licence