Vienna Park in southern Monroe County will again be the site of the MCRCA Field Day (FD) activities. FD is the nation-wide event sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to test the mettle of ham operators – are we prepared for a true communications emergency?

The manner in which the test is conducted has made FD THE operating event of the ham radio calendar each year for time immemorial. FD is a challenge – a contest if you will, where teams of hams across the country and Canada set up temporary sites and portable stations just to see who can make the most contacts. The MCRCA event will begin Saturday morning around 9:30 when we will gather at the park for set up. The operating event begins at 2:00 PM and will run 24 hours until 2:00PM Sunday.

FD is the time we can hone operating skills, both on phone and CW. We expect to have two operating stations on the air full time during the event, with operators working shifts. Everyone is welcome, and new operators are encouraged.