2020 ARRL field day - what are you doing???

[wrcu527]

I know this is GMRS focused, but field day is still very relevant. It's all radio after all. 

Saturday-Sunday 6/27-6/28. If you're a amateur radio operator, activate your station! If not, listen any way you can - HF, VHF, UHF or shortwave. 

GMRS: announce your call sign and "listening" or "monitoring". When you hear another station, start a QSO or conversation with someone you've never spoken to. Exchange names, locations and whats happening in your area. Log your contacts.

Get out of your comfort zone, call CQ. If no one talks, start talking!

I'm hoping that we will have the MyGMRS linking initiative up and running over the weekend to encourage making contacts... say HI!

Please monitor this site for more info as it arrives. I'll be listening...

WRCU527 / K7VLL

Darren

[Jones]

If all the parts come in, I'll be traveling across northern Kansas this weekend trying to get a 30,000 Watt signal, and two 100,000 Watt signals back on the air in the 3-Meter band. (a.k.a. FM Stereo)

 

I might try some simplex on 146.520 in the 2 Meter band while I'm on the road, but unfortunately, I won't be able to play with amateur radio much during this year's field day, since I'll be busy with commercial radio.

[tweiss3]

I wasn't aware that GMRS was permitted in Field Day. I was planning on listening to the local HAM repeater, but I wasn't going to be able to participate without a license. I may have to leave the GMRS HT on as well this weekend.

[Jones]

GMRS is not part of ARRL field day, and GMRS contacts do not count for any kind of score.

 

...however, nothing says you can't contact another ham friend via the GMRS link, and set up a ham contact, like: "Hey Jim, 10 Meters is open to your part of the country. Let's try hooking up on 28.450"

[tweiss3]

GMRS is not part of ARRL field day, and GMRS contacts do not count for any kind of score.

 

...however, nothing says you can't contact another ham friend via the GMRS link, and set up a ham contact, like: "Hey Jim, 10 Meters is open to your part of the country. Let's try hooking up on 28.450"

 

That's what I thought. Seeing as I'm not licensed yet (test in 2 weeks) I will just sit back and listen.

[mainehazmt]

Maybe it isn’t for “Points” but I have never been in radio for points.  During past field days when we could all get together. I bring my camper and set it all up with my icom 7100 mostly for HF and have an existing dual band antenna in the camper for gmrs. I’m also set up for vhf, emergency services radio, and another for 2 meter.  Many did not know about GMRS.  One of the head people didn’t think we should have gmrs for demo.  My comment was after all it is radio just like our vhf repeater only on UHF ( I have the 2 meter and my GMRS radio both on motorola GM 300’s)  and  FRS / GMRS is a start to get interest going. And during an emergency many people might just have  the toy radios.    Heck this year where we are doing field day from home we are also integrating ZOOM into the mix.  

The best part of this year doing it from home is I don’t have to figure out a covered dish Meal to share!  

[wrcu527]

Yeah while field day is centered around amateur radio, I feel its a great opportunity to expose folks to the utility that GMRS offers. I've found a great community of like minded people around GMRS that may have never delved into amateur radio otherwise. I plan on activating 20 meters mainly and calling on the local GMRS repeaters for general conversation to learn what others are doing across the US. WQYM541 good luck on your trip! I hope to hear some of you on the air.

[marcspaz]

This year is going to be my first year activating with my son.  He is 21 and just got his license in November 2019.  We are going to have 3 stations and 3 operators. 

 

We got permission to activate in a national park, in a place surrounded by colonial period homes that are now preserved as part of the park.  It's going to be a blast. 

 

I think on Saturday we are going to focus mainly on HF.  Sunday I may stuff the repeater antenna in the air and see who is around.  There are a lot of GMRS operators around here.  I am a bit hesitant since many of them don't even know what the ARRL is, but some folks may be listening in for contact from home and willing to respond in the interest of the day.

[berkinet]

just a note to those who did not know what field is. It is not just in the US, it is global. So radio operators around the world will be making contact with each other. Usually from temporary locations. I. e. The field.

[n4gix]

Just for general information in case someone is unaware:

 

The ARRL Contest Program has released some Frequently Asked Questions related to the Field Day temporary rule waivers. On May 28, the ARRL Programs and Services Committee (PSC) adopted these provisions only for the June 27 – 28, 2020, event: (1) Class D stations may work all other Field Day stations, including other Class D stations, for points, and (2) an aggregate club score will be published, which will be the sum of all individual entries that indicate a specific club. Contact the ARRL Contest Program with any questions related to Field Day 2020.

 

Each participant will submit his or her own independent entry under his or her call sign. ARRL will calculate the aggregate score based upon the club name entered on the official Field Day entry form via the web applet (preferred method) or on the paper Field Day entry form. In order for results to be tabulated correctly, all club participants must enter the club’s official name exactly the same, avoiding abbreviations or acronyms. This is important!

For further details, please visit the ARRL's FAQ page:

http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-contest-program-issues-field-day-2020-faq

[taco6513]

Planning on spending Saturday with the "Western Oklahoma Amateur Radio Club".

They will have there radios set up. I am helping with lunch supplies. 

This is the third event I have been to so I will most likely listen and learn.

Maybe ask a few questions.

KI5GXD