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We are now accepting renewals for the 2026-27 membership year. Dues are due by September 30.
Each winter, the last full weekend in January, hams from around the world gather on the airwaves for Winter Field Day. This event puts amateur radio out on display for the general public, by setting up temporary stations in parks, shopping centers, and various other high-visibility locations. Licensed operators and the general public alike can take to the airwaves on HF, VHF, and UHF bands, using voice, Morse code, and various digital modes. It's also a great opportunity for hams to practice deploying temporary stations and operating under less than ideal conditions.
Similar to ARRL Field Day in June, points are awarded for making contact with other hams with various Objective Multipliers for various wheres and hows you operate. Some clubs take it seriously, scheduling their top operators in shifts to keep the radios warm while racking up the points. RATS takes a more laid-back approach. We're usually more interested in socializing and enjoying the potluck food spread than bringing home a high score.
No License Required
No License Required
The RATS Winter Field Day uses the club's W4RAT call sign under the direction of designated control operators. The control operators, supplied by the club's Technical Committee, oversee the operation of the radios at all times. As a Field Day participant, you'll use our club call sign and a control operator's license privileges to operate under their supervision. This means even if you only have a Technician class license, you can operate HF at our event. Or if you have no license at all, that's cool, too!
Our Control Operators usually stay out of the way but they're happy to sit down at a radio next to you and show you how it's done. Feel free to ask anyone for some training or any technical assistance you might need while operating the club's equipment.
Photo: David KN4LQN and Judi N4JDI at the VE testing, Winter Field Day 2023. Taken by Wayne K9WVU.
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