Field Day is not just for summertime anymore. Winter Field Day, sponsored by the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA), will take place over the January 30-31 weekend. The annual event’s stated purpose is to encourage emergency operating preparedness in the winter, but it’s also an excuse to get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors. According to the WFDA, getting ready for emergency communication in a winter environment is just as important as the preparations and practice that take place each June during ARRL Field Day, and — let’s face it — it’s not cold and snowy everywhere during the winter months. Your local climate could be quite the opposite.
“Don’t let those winter doldrums keep you locked up in the house,” the WFDA says. “Get out and play some radio!” The WFDA said it believes that maintaining operating skills should not be limited to fair-weather scenarios.
The event, which got its start in 2007, is not restricted to North America. All Amateur Radio operators around the world are invited to participate, and there are three entry categories — indoor, outdoor, and home. The rules are similar to those for ARRL Field Day. Operation will take place on all HF bands except 12, 17, 30, and 60 meters, as well as on VHF, UHF, and satellite. The event runs 24 hours. US and Canadian stations exchange call sign, operating category, and ARRL or RAC section.
The WFDA encourages both groups and solo operation, and if you’re not up for an outdoor winter adventure involving Amateur Radio, you can operate from the comfort of your shack. As the WFDA says on its Facebook page, “The object is winter fun!”
The Lubbock Amateur Radio Club Field Day Station will be open to the public at noon on Saturday the 30th until noon on Sunday the 31st. The event will last 24 hours as we put our radios and operating on display. Feel free to come hang out, learn, and even talk on the radio!
If you are new to Ham radio and would like to learn more, this will be the perfect opportunity to get in the driver seat with the help from experienced radio operators.
Food, drinks, and snacks will be provided Saturday evening for those who attend. Operations will be in large tents with heaters. Radio equipment will be supplied. However, you are welcome to bring and use your own equipment. Our exchange will be “K5LIB 2O WTX” as we will be operating 2 HF radio stations outdoors on emergency power. We will also have a UHF/VHF station. So, if you can’t make it to the shindig, you can still help us log a few local stations by getting on the air from home.
For more information about Winter Field Day and its location contact Cliff Colvin K5CV or click on one of the links below.
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Contest Calendar
- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest
0000Z-0100Z, Apr 18 and 0200Z-0300Z, Apr 19
- CWops Test (CWT)
0300Z-0400Z, Apr 18
- CWops Test (CWT)
0700Z-0800Z, Apr 18
- NTC QSO Party
1900Z-2000Z, Apr 18
- NCCC FT4 Sprint
0100Z-0130Z, Apr 19
- Weekly RTTY Test
0145Z-0215Z, Apr 19
- NCCC Sprint
0230Z-0300Z, Apr 19
- K1USN Slow Speed Test
2000Z-2100Z, Apr 19
- Holyland DX Contest
2100Z, Apr 19 to 2059Z, Apr 20
- ES Open HF Championship
0500Z-0859Z, Apr 20
