It's that time of year again. The last full weekend in June is approaching. Fully licensed amateur radio operators from coast to coast are/have been planning for an exercise known as Field Day. While we pride ourselves on maintaining the ability to set up emergency communications in a heartbeat, sometimes our pulses slow just a tad and this annual test of our abilities is just the "spark" that picks up the tempo, renews our thinking about service in the face of emergencies, provides a platform for proving equipment and operator capabilities, and cements this community into one common cause, at least for a weekend. ( I think I left out the part about this weekend being a lot of fun too.)

If you are an experienced and serious ham, you already know the drill. You have a transmitter, antenna, cables, key and fully charged batteries and supplies in a dedicated case all ready to go to some out of the way hilltop where your signal will reach the "outside". You also have personal supplies to sustain yourself for an extended tour of duty if the going gets rough. You are READY to provide that vital communication link that restores the ability to provide life saving information and logistics that were destroyed by the flood, earthquake or other disaster that we all hope will never come, but is eventual.

The preceding is the goal, but today's field day varies substantially in that clubs sometimes prepare for months to set up this communication link in fine style. Comfortable locations are sought, meetings held to determine who will bring what equipment, multiple stations are organized and menus for this 24 hour event are planned. Once all of the preparation is done, then what........

Certainly, nobody wants a real emergency during Field Day. Besides, how do you schedule an earthquake or a tornado for this specific weekend? So, to add a degree of urgency to the mix, all of these amateurs nationwide are asked to start setting up these emergency stations at an appointed hour (1500 UTC). Three hours after that, all embark on a communications contest (with very specific and detailed rules) to see who can make the most radio contacts between stations, thus proving the abilities of the electronics and the operators.

For 24 hours, each operator or group seeks unique stations with which to exchange information. Various modes are used: voice, Morse code, digital exchanges and satellites. Bands from 160 meters to microwaves. Stationary land, land mobile, marine mobile, backpack portable and conceivably even rail mobile stations could all possibly be on the air. Power for these transceivers will come from batteries, portable gas generators, photo cells, some commercial power (by those who just want to participate on the fringe of the exercise)...... at the extreme, hand crank generators have been known to be used.

So, if you see strange looking masts, antennas, wires, tents, tables with radios, people with earphones, table lanterns, microphones and unusual equipment in local parks, school campuses, parking lots, fields and other public places on June 28th and 29th, please stop by and ask a ham to show you the operation. This is all preparation for what we hope will never come..... but amateur radio operators ARE prepared to serve the community.