ARRL Field Day is an annual amateur radio event held the fourth full weekend of June, where over 31,000 operators in the U.S. and Canada set up temporary stations to practice emergency communications and demonstrate ham radio skills. In 2026, Field Day will take place June 27–28.
The TELLICO LAKE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB will be operating from its “headquarters” (monthly meeting location) at the Fire Station in Tellico Village.
TLARC PLANNING
Those of you who are attending field day in a couple of weeks, please let Tim N4TLM know what time frame you will be there and in what capacity you want to help. I.E: Setup, food prep, operating, teardown. If you have a specialty-cw, ft8, list that as well.
Setup will be around 0900 Saturday, eat lunch around 1300, start operating @ 1400 til 1400 Sunday (depending on conditions), teardown.
- Richard W8CNY will help with setup and tear down. He’s am more of an equipment guy, not an operator and will be in and out throughout this event doing his Fire Department duties. He can get the hot grill ready, provide water, drinks, and ice.
- Richard also will bring several Club assets:
– Yaesu FT-767GX All Band Transceiver
– Yaesu MD-100 Microphone
– 10-80 Meter Center Fed Dipole Antenna, 66 ft long per leg
– 10-160 Meter Center Fed Dipole Antenna, 130 ft long per leg
– 146 MHz J-Pole Antenna
– Miscellaneous Books - If anybody would like to build any construction projects, he can bring in several soldering and desoldering workstations. Ever tried to work with those tiny SMD components using a hot air gun? His radio shack has tons of electronic components. If you have a project in mind, send him a list of what you need, it’s all free for the asking.
Coordinator Sam Howard KW4TN says we still need …
- Safety Officer – Required for the Field Day safety bonus. Ensures compliance with the published safety checklist and monitors conditions during the event; and
- Public Relations Lead – Helps with outreach, signage, social media, inviting local officials, and ensuring we qualify for the Public Information and Media bonuses.
[More details to coming from coordinators Tim N4TLM & Sam KW4TN, and others. Keep an eye on our groups.io email list.]
Overview of ARRL Field Day
ARRL Field Day is an annual event for amateur radio operators, taking place on the fourth full weekend of June. It serves as a practical exercise in emergency communications and showcases the skills of radio operators.
Key Features
- Participation: Over 30,000 operators in the U.S. and Canada participate each year.
- Purpose: The event focuses on emergency preparedness, public service, and community outreach.
- Format: It combines competitive elements with a collaborative spirit, allowing operators to set up temporary stations in various locations.
Event Details
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Fourth full weekend of June |
| Duration | 24 to 27 hours, depending on setup time |
| Activities | Setting up stations, making contacts, and practicing emergency communications |
| Community Involvement | Open to the public for learning about amateur radio |
Field Day is not just a contest; it emphasizes the importance of preparedness and the ability to operate under less-than-ideal conditions, making it a vital event for amateur radio enthusiasts.
