This weekend, SEARC is participating in ARRL Field Day, the biggest amateur radio event of the year.
We’ll be set up at the Minnehaha County Emergency Management Building (608 N. Sigler Ave, Sioux Falls) starting Saturday, June 27 at 1:00 PM and running straight through until Sunday, June 28 at 1:00 PM. That’s 24 hours of continuous operating.
Field Day is when clubs across North America set up temporary stations, often outdoors on backup power, and spend 24 hours making as many contacts as possible. It’s scored like a contest, but the real point is practice: can your club communicate when the usual infrastructure is gone? Every contact made from a generator-powered antenna in a parking lot is an answer to that question.
If you’ve ever been curious about amateur radio, this is one of the best times to come see what it actually looks like. Stop by, ask questions, and watch it in action. Licensed operators are welcome to get on the air. No license? That’s fine too. You’re still welcome.
Talk-in frequency if you’re driving over: 146.895 MHz, PL 146.2.
Want to learn more about Field Day before you come? ARRL has a full overview at arrl.org/field-day. You can also find other participating stations near you at arrl.org/field-day-locator.
Hope to see some familiar faces and some new ones this weekend.
73, W0ZWY