Every year amateur radio operators across North America unplug from the power grid, team up, and head out to have a field day. Literally.
Saturday and Sunday was the American Radio Relay League’s annual “Field Day,” where participants attempt to make as many contacts with others on the continent as they can in 24 hours. The purpose is to simulate emergency conditions after a natural disaster which might require amateur radio to reach the outside world.
Jay Barrett went to Field Day at the Skyview Middle School where members of the Moose Horn Amateur Radio Club gathered and set up their mobile radio shack, an electric generator, two large dipole antennas, and the all-important barbecue grill. He spoke with some veteran hams and a couple of newcomers there to take their amateur radio tests.