Field Day

Field Day

Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event held annually the last full weekend in June. More than 35,000 amateur radio operators gather with their clubs, groups, or with friends to operate from temporary stations in public areas for a 24 hour period.

Field Day is mainly to have Fun. It is an informal contest, a picnic, a campout, and a time to practice emergency response capabilities. It is also a time to learn how to operate radio equipment in abnormal situations from a remote locations.

MMARC Field Day

Field Day is always the last full weekend in June of each year. Children and guests are always welcome!  Visit us and get on the air! 

The Maryland Mobileers Club participates in Field Day each year at Downs Park in Pasadena, MD.  We operate from the Youth Camping Area. This is what a typical MMARC Field Day is like:

Those who are interested meet at Johnny's Family Restaurant for breakfast, 3023 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122 on Saturday morning of Field Day weekend at 8:00 AM local time.

Equipment is set up in Downs Park Youth Camping Area beginning about 9:00 - 9:30 AM local time, after breakfast.  Those not interested in breakfast at Johnny's can go directly to Downs Park.

Our set up (typically up to 4 HF stations) on 80, 40, 20, and 15 meters.  Typical modes are SSB, CW, and FT4/FT8. PSK-31 has pretty much fallen by the wayside. Most antennas are inverted V's and dipoles supported by 40 foot masts.  Power is supplied by a portable generator. 

We are typically class 4A running 150 watts or less on SSB, CW, and digital modes.

We begin operating Saturday at 2:00 PM local time and operate as late as anyone wants to. Field Day ends on Sunday at 2:00 PM.

Camping overnight is encouraged and many of the radio operators camp in tents, trailers, RV's, or just under the stars.

Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast and lunch are provided for participants.  The menu usually includes:

• 1. 1. Saturday sandwiches or cheeseburgers for lunch.

     2. Saturday hot dinner prepared in the field.

     3. Sunday breakfast is coffee, bagels, or donuts and sometimes pancakes or waffles.

     4. Sunday lunch, typically cheeseburgers or leftovers.

The equipment is taken down Sunday about 2:00 PM.

Visitors of all ages are always welcomed, and especially the kids. So please come visit us at Downs Park, and you too can get "On The Airwaves."